Report

Effect of small-sided game formats on physical and technical performance in wheelchair basketball.

Implementing small-sided game formats in training may be advantageous for physical and technical performance in wheelchair basketball.

Lead academic:
Barry Mason and Rienk can der Slikke
Additional academics:
M Hutchinson, M Berger, V Goosey-Tolfrey
Funder:
The Peter Harrison Centre

Introduction

Wheelchair basketball (WB) is a 5v5 team sport characterized as an intermittent, aerobic-based activity interspersed with frequent bouts of high-intensity work that requires high levels of physical conditioning and technical skill. Little research has focused on training strategies that may best prepare athletes for the demands of WB.

Small-sided games (SSGs) have emerged as one of the most common training strategies employed by coaches from team sports, as they have the ability to develop physical, technical, and tactical competencies under competition-specific conditions. The effects of different SSG formats on specific physical and technical aspects of performance to WB remain unknown.

Study aim: To compare the activity profiles, physiological and technical demands during 3 formats of 3v3 WB (full court (FC), half-court (HC), and modified-length court (MOD)) in relation to 5v5 WB.

Methods

Fifteen highly trained WB players participated in a single 5v5 (24-s shot clock) match and three 3v3 SSGs (18-s shot clock) on a (1) full court, (2) half-court, and (3) modified-length court. During all formats, players’ activity profiles were monitored using an indoor tracking system and inertial measurement units.

Physiological responses were monitored via heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Technical performance, that is, ball handling, was monitored using video analysis.

Main Findings

  • Players covered less distance and reached lower peak speeds during half-court (P≤.0005) compared with all other formats.
  • Greater distances were covered, and more time was spent performing moderate- and high-speed activity (P ≤ .008) during full court compared with all other formats.
  • Players spent more time in possession, took more shots, and performed more rebounds in all 3v3 formats compared with 5v5 (P ≤ .028).
  • Coaches would benefit from implementing 3v3 SSG on a FC, when the principal objective of training is to physically overload WB players, while maintaining sports specificity.
  • 3v3 SSG on a modified length court could be implemented by coaching staff to maintain physical fitness levels specific to the demands of competition, as this format shared the most physical similarities to 5v5 WB.
  • HC could be recommended to improve wheelchair handling skills and defensive aspects of WB performance.
  • Modifying court dimensions and court ratio per player seems to have a clear effect on activity profiles during WB.

Reference

Mason BS, van der Slikke RMA, Hutchinson MJ, Berger MAM, Goosey-Tolfrey VL. The Effect of Small-Sided Game Formats on Physical and Technical Performance in Wheelchair Basketball. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018 Aug 1;13(7):891-896. DOI: . Epub 2018 Jul 26. PMID: 29252106.

 

Image credit: © Paralympics GB