The aim of the present study was to identify and describe players’ performances in NBA games using individual and team-based game variables. The sample was composed by 535 balanced games (score differences below or equal to eight points) from the regular season (n=502) and the playoffs (n=33). A total of 472 players were analysed. The individual-based variables were: minutes on court, effective field-goal percentage, free-throws/field-goals ratio, offensive rebound percentage, turnover percentage and playing position. The team-based variables were: team points minus opponent’s points (on and off court), NET score (player’s on values minus his/her off values), maximum negative and positive point difference, team’s winning percentage, game pace, defensive and offensive ratings. A two-step cluster analysis was performed to identify the player’s profiles during regular season and playoff games. The results identified five performance profiles during regular season games and four performance profiles during playoff games. The profiles identified were mainly characterized by the game quarter and the negative NET indicator (players’ performance on court minus their performance off court) in regular season games and the positive NET indicator during playoff games and second and third game-quarters. Coaching staffs can fine-tune these profiles to develop more team-specific models and, conversely, use the results to monitor and rebuild team formation under the constrained dynamics of the game and competition stages.

Purpose: Games-based drills (GBD) are the predominant form of training stimulus prescribed to male and female basketball players. Despite being readily manipulated during GBD, the impact of defensive strategy on the sex-specific demands of GBD remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify and compare the heart-rate (HR) responses experienced during 5v5 GBD using different defensive strategies (man-to-man defense vs zone defense [ZD] formations) according to player sex. Method: HR was recorded in 11 professional male and 10 professional female basketball players while performing 5v5 GBD with different defensive strategies (man-to-man defense or ZD). HR-based training load was also calculated using the summated heart-rate zones model. Results: During man-to-man defense, mean HR (), relative time (in percentage) spent working at 90% to 100% maximal HR (), and summated heart-rate zones () were greater (P < .05) in female players compared with males. During ZD, higher (P < .01) peak HR (), mean HR (), relative and absolute (in minutes) time spent working at 80% to 89% maximal HR ( and .03, respectively) and 90% to 100% maximal HR ( and .09, respectively), and summated heart-rate zones () were observed in female players compared with males. Conclusions: The defensive strategy employed during 5v5 full-court GBD influences HR responses and training load differently according to sex, where female players experience higher HR responses than males, especially when ZD are adopted. Basketball coaching staff can use these findings for the precise manipulation of team defenses during GBD to elicit desired cardiovascular stress on players.

Efectos del entrenamiento en la habilidad para repetir sprints (RSA) en arbitros de baloncesto Training effects in repeated sprint ability (RSA) in basketball referees Efeitos do treino na capacidade de repetir sprints (RSA) em árbitros de basquetebol P. Bayón, A. Vaquera, J.V. García-Tormo y R. Dehesa Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva. Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte. Universidad de León.Resumen: La mayor parte de los estudios en baloncesto se han centrado en el estudio de los jugadores existiendo pocos que se hayan centrado en el estudio de los árbitros de baloncesto. La habilidad para repetir sprints (RSA) es uno de los componentes claves en el rendimiento físico en baloncesto. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es analizar la RSA y los valores cineantropométricos en árbitros de baloncesto después de un periodo de entrenamiento de 5 semanas. 24 árbitros fueron analizados, divididos en Grupo Control (GC) y Grupo Experimental (GE). Se les realizó una determinación cineantropométrica (Talla, Peso, % Graso y IMC) y un test de RSA de 7x20 m. en dos ocasiones, antes y después de estas semanas de entrenamiento (PRE y POST). Encontramos pequeñas diferencias en el peso en ambos grupos entre el PRE y POST así como diferencias en el % graso, donde ambos disminuyeron, 2.5% el GC y 5.29% el GE. Las mejoras en el RSA fueron evidentes, siendo 0.67% para el GC y 5.10% para el GE. En conclusión, después de un entrenamiento específico, las mejoras en RSA en árbitros de baloncesto claramente mejorarán su condición física así como sus valores cineantropométricos. Palabras clave: entrenamiento, velocidad, valores cineantropométricos. Abstract: Most studies in basketball have focused on the study of the players and just a few have focused on the study of basketball referees. The ability to repeat sprints (RSA) is one of the key components in physical performance in basketball. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the RSA and the anthropometric values in basketball referees after a period of 5 weeks of specific training. 24 referees were evaluated divided into Group Control (GC) and Experimental Group (GE). An anthropometric determination (Size, Weight, Body fat %, and BMI) and a 7x20m RSA test were performed twice, before and after of 5 specific training weeks (PRE and POST). Small differences in the weight of the referees in PRE and POST in both groups were found but also there are some differences in body fat %, decreasing in 2.5% the GC and in 5.29% the GE. The improvements in RSA are 0.67% for GC and 5.10% for the GE. In conclusion, the basketball referees improvements in RSA after a specific training clearly improves their physical condition and their anthropometric values. Keywords: training, speed, kinanthropometry. Resumo: A maior parte dos estudos em Basquetebol centram-se no estudo dos jogadores existindo poucos que se centrem no estudo dos árbitros. A capacidade de repetir sprints (RSA) é um dos componentes-chave no desempenho físico no basquetebol. Portanto, o objetivo ...