Comparing Average and Peak Physical Demands and Well-Being Status During Basketball Back-to-Back Games

This study investigated the impact of consecutive basketball games on the physical demands and well-being of young players under 18 years old (U-18), focusing on the peak demands (PD). Monitoring 17 players over 10 games (5 weekends), external load expressed as relative distance (RD) (m·min−1), high-speed running distance covered (HSR) (m·min−1), maximal accelerations (ACC) (n·min−1), and maximal decelerations (DEC) (n·min−1) normalized by playing time were assessed, and the Hooper index was used to evaluate wellness status. Additionally, linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models were employed to detect differences, revealing a significant decrease in RD·min−1 (F = 4.71, p = 0.04) during the second back-to-back game. ACC·min−1 also exhibited significant differences (χ2 = 6.44, p = 0.01) between players in one or two games. However, the PD remained unchanged. Conversely, the Hooper index significantly improved between games (2.67 arb. u. [95% CI 0.11–5.24]; p = 0.04, d = 1.25 large), indicating enhanced well-being on the second competition day. Although RD·min−1 differences suggest the onset of residual fatigue, U-18 teams seem to adapt correctly to a two-game schedule through player auto-regulatory pacing and squad rotation. The positive change in wellness on the second day suggests a need for a comprehensive approach to assessing basketball performance.