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Between-Quarter and Between-Position Variability of External Load Demands in a U19 Basketball Team: A 2024–2025 Hungarian Junior League Analysis

delete2026-08-01
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OA
AI
N
Norbert Farago
D
Dávid Horváth
B
Bence Kopper
A
Adam Hegedus *
DOI:10.3390/jfmk11030302delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Objectives: External load demands (ELD) for junior basketball players have primarily been investigated in senior championships, although the competition level influences the players’ performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the between-quarter and between-position differences for U19 basketball players in their age-related championship throughout a whole competitive season. Methods: Data were collected from fifteen Hungarian U19 basketball players across eight home games via the WIMU PROTM local positioning system (Hudl, Nebraska, United States of America). Linear mixed models were used to evaluate omnibus main effects and position × quarter interactions for high-intensity accelerations (HIA), decelerations (HID), Player Load (PL), and vertical jumps (JUM), using Bonferroni adjustments and exploratory simple comparisons (p < 0.05). Moreover, model-based mean differences (MBMM) were also calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Significant game quarter omnibus main effect (F = 2.836, p = 0.043) and a borderline position × quarter interaction (F = 2.184, p = 0.050) were found in the JUM metric, with exploratory analyses revealing significant differences for centers between the second and third quarters and between the third and fourth quarters (p = 0.004, Mean Difference = −0.196, 95% CI = −0.345 to −0.046; p = 0.003, Mean Difference = 0.194, 95% CI = 0.049 to 0.338, respectively). A significant positional omnibus main effect (F = 4.917, p = 0.025) and a non-significant position × quarter interaction (F = 0.570, p = 0.753) was found for HID, with a significant difference between guards and forwards in the second quarter (p = 0.036, Mean Difference = 0.389, 95% CI = 0.019 to 0.742). PL and HIA did not show any significant differences. Conclusions: It is concluded that for the investigated sample, certain positional external load demands fluctuate between-quarter and between-position indicating that specific drills should be designed to maximize players’ performance and minimize their risk of injury. However, our results cannot be generalized due to the specificity of our dataset.
Keywords:
performance analysis
game period differences
team sport
technology

Journal

J
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
IF:
2.5
Papers:
1.0K
Citations:
1.8K

Organization

H
Hungarian University of Sports Science
Scholars:
35
Papers: 16
Citations: 111
B
basketball academy kecskemet
Scholars:
2
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
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