Ferioli D¹, Bosio A², La Torre A¹, Carlomagno D², Connolly DR³, Rampinini E²

1,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy;2 Human Performance Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Centre, Olgiate Olona, Varese, Italy;3, Sport Science Department, Juventus FC, Torino, Italy.

The aim of this study was to compare perceived TL (sRPE-TL), training volume (TV) and the changes in physical fitness between professional (n=14) and semi-professional (n=18) basketball players during the preparation period. Furthermore, relationships between sRPE-TL and TV with changes in physical fitness level were investigated. The players performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo IR1) before and after the preparation period. In addition, physiological responses to a standardized 6-min continuous running test (Mognoni’s test) and to a standardized 5-min high-intensity intermittent running test (HIT) were measured. sRPE-TL and TV were greater for professional (5241±1787 AU; 914±122 min) compared to semi-professional players (2408±487 AU; 583±65 min). Despite these differences, Yo-Yo IR1 performance improvements (∼30%) and physiological adaptations to the Mognoni’s test were similar between the two groups. Furthermore, physiological adaptations to HIT were slightly greater for professional compared to semi-professional players, however the magnitude of these effects was only small/moderate. No clear relationships were found between sRPE-TL and changes in Yo-Yo IR1 performance and Mognoni’s test (rs ± 90%CI: Yo-Yo IR1, 0.18±0.30; Mognoni’s test, -0.14±0.29). Only moderate relationships were found between sRPE-TL and changes in HIT (rs ± 90%CI: [La], -0.48±0.23; [H], -0.42±0.25). These results raise doubts on the effectiveness of using high sRPE-TL and TV during the preparation period to improve the physical fitness level of players. The Yo-Yo IR1 appears to be sensitive to monitor changes induced by the preparation period, however its use is not recommended to discriminate between adult basketball players of different competitive level.

J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Jan 30. PMID: 28146032  DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001823