This study aimed to investigate the influence of contextual variables related to team performance, individual performance and scheduling on the external training load placed upon professional basketball players following a won compared to a lost game. Fifteen male professional basketball players from a single club competing in the Australia's top tier National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2023/2024 season participated in this study. Total player load, peak player load, player load per minute and the work to rest ratio derived from accelerometry were measures of external player load used in the analysis. Linear mixed models with the match outcome (win/loss), expected margin vs. outcome, days between games, and player efficiency as fixed effects, and player ID as a random intercept were employed. A statistically significant (p = 0.001) 62.46 au difference in total player load was observed following a win compared to a loss. However, when considering the random effects of an individual, individual performance, team performance and scheduling as fixed effects, a non-significant (p = 0.086) difference was observed with the individual player being the most influential variable. There were no statistically significant differences in peak player load (p = 0.734), player load per minute (p = 0.281), and the work to rest ratio (p = 0.782) following a win compared to a loss. The external training load prescribed to professional basketball players is highly individualized. Practitioners monitoring the training demands of players should consider the influence of individual factors when designing training.

O'Grady, MW, Young, WB, Behm, DG, and Talpey, SW. Effect of intention to squat explosively on acute countermovement jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3348–3354, 2021—The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of squatting with the intention of moving the bar as fast as possible during the ascent phase on potentiating countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Fourteen recreationally resistance-trained men (age = 22.1 ± 1.7 years, height = 179.9 ± 4.2 cm, body mass = 83.8 ± 6.6 kg) with a predicted 1 repetition maximum half-squat of 201.0 ± 27.8 kg participated in this study. Subjects performed 3 CMJs before and then 4 and 8 minutes after a squat conditioning activity (CA). Conditions were randomized. For 1 condition, the CA involved subjects performing 4 repetitions of the half-squat with a 5RM load in a controlled manner (CON) at a self-selected normal squatting tempo. In the other condition, subjects used the same number of repetitions and load; however, they were instructed to move the bar up as fast as possible during the concentric phase of the half-squat (VMAX). Half-squat peak force (N), peak power (W), peak velocity (m·s⁻¹), and rate of force development (RFD) were measured for each CA using a force platform and linear position transducer. At 4 and 8 minutes post-CA, CMJ height, relative peak power, peak velocity, and peak force were also measured. Despite there being significant increases in the half-squat peak power, peak velocity and maximum RFD in the VMAX condition, neither condition significantly improved any post-CMJ variable. Some small improvements in jump height were observed in certain individuals after the VMAX condition, suggesting that an explosive half-squat CA may potentiate CMJ performance in certain individuals.

This study investigated whether skilled batsmen in a state cricket pathway could anticipate ball types when congruency of field-placings was manipulated with a bowler's action. Twenty-four male cricket batsmen were recruited who had played either first-class cricket (n = 6), were part of under 17 (n = 8) or under 19 (n = 10) state cricket squads. Participants completed a video-based temporal occlusion test where they were required to anticipate ball types from a swing bowler. In condition one, contextual field-placing information was presented to be congruent with the delivery type and bowler's action, whilst in condition two it was incongruent. Results did not reveal skill level differences across conditions for anticipation. In the congruent condition, all skill groups predicted above the chance level at the beginning and end of the bowler's delivery stride. In the incongruent condition, first-class players predicted above chance at the beginning of the bowler's delivery stride, and to a higher magnitude above chance compared to other skill groups at ball release. Under 17 and 19 players could not predict above chance at the start of the bowler's delivery stride with their magnitude of prediction lower than first-class players at ball release. Results indicate skilled batsmen find it challenging to integrate contextual and kinematic information to anticipate. This is likely due to greater emphasis placed upon contextual information in part supplied by data analysts. Findings have theoretical and practical implications respectively for lower body positioning for bat-ball interception and perceptual training to improve pick-up of kinematic cues.

Historically, research that has aimed to understand the determinants of road cycling performance has focused primarily on the physiological characteristics of successful performers. To date, little research has been conducted on the tactical strategies that underpin successful road cycling, especially from a qualitative perspective. This study reports the practices of seven high-performing Australian cyclists and coaches to inform how they prepare for competition, the tactical decisions they make during and reflective practices they use following a road cycling competition. Inductive qualitative one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questions via an online meeting platform. A robust thematic analysis of the interviews was undertaken resulting in the establishment of themes aligned with pre-race, in-race and reflection upon tactical decision making. Prior to the race, themes related to the specificity of training, planning of a race strategy and use of training data emerged from the interviews. During the race, themes of the cyclist’s role within a team, in-race communication and race craft were established. Post-race, a theme related to the reflective practice implemented by each participant was evident. These results and discussion provide novel insights into the process of developing, implementing and reflecting upon tactical decision making used in high-level road cycling. This information is valuable for teams and governing bodies to inform and enhance coaching development and practice within the sport of road cycling.