Effect of Situational and Individual Factors on Training Load and Game Performance in Liga Femenina 2 Basketball Female Players

Abstract

There is research that has shown how individual characteristics and performance indicators influence the load in basketball; however, studies on the influence of situational variables on performance are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of certain situational and individual variables on the training load (weekly load, game load and pre-game recovery) and the individual performance (statistical game evaluation) of female basketball players of Liga Femenina 2 during competition. The 28 games played by the 13 players of a group B team of the Liga Femenina 2 of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) during the 2020/2021 season were analyzed. Data on rate of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived performance and recovery were collected through the Quanter mobile application as well as performance statistics from the FEB website. Five mixed linear analyses for repeated measures were performed to evaluate the effect of each situational and individual variable on each dependent variable (weekly load, game load, game RPE, pre-game recovery, and game statistical assessment). The results show how the weekly load increases after playing against a low-level opponent (p < 0.001). In games, the players who play the most minutes and accumulate the most load are also the most valued (p < 0.001). The pre-game recovery worsens as the season progresses (p < 0.001). After playing against a high-level opponent, the pre-game recovery values for the next game are lower (p = 0.031). The results obtained indicate that the situational and individual variables should be taken into account to monitor the workload. These results help coaches and physical trainers to better plan training weeks, taking into account the situational variables studied.