Planning and monitoring training loads during an in-season basketball period

This study aimed to examine the relationships between the difficulty of the matches (difficulty scheduled at the beginning of the season [DBS] and the in-season match difficulty [DIS]) and the weekly internal training load (ITL) in twelve professional male basketball players (25.3 ± 4.8 years, 97.6 ± 14.9 kg, and 195.8 ± 10.2 cm) during a in-season period. DBS was determined before the commencement of the competitive season, and DIS due to reassessing DBS on a weekly basis. ITL was determined by means of session-RPE method. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were verified between DBS and DIS (r = 0.86), DBS and ITL (- 0.59), and DIS and ITL (- 0.65). The greater coefficient of relationship between DIS and ITL suggest a key role of reassessing the difficulty of the matches on a weekly basis to provide appropriate information to coaches regard planning and monitoring in-season training loads. © 2013 Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte