Comparing Workloads Among Different Age Groups in Official Masters’ Basketball Matches: Implications for Physical Activity

Background/Objectives: Master athletes in team sports represent a growing population of individuals who continue to engage in structured training and competition. Among these sports, basketball has primarily been investigated in older athletes; however, age-related effects on training load within the broader master athlete population remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to examine the age-related differences in workloads among master basketball athletes and determine whether game participation can facilitate the achievement of the recommended physical activity level. Methods: A total of 178 male athletes were divided into three age groups (35–45, 46–60, and ≥60 years) and participated in a national tournament. External load metrics, including accumulated acceleration load (AAL), mechanical load (ML), and jump load (JL), were recorded using tri-axial microsensors. Internal load (IL) was assessed via session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE). Physical activity levels were categorized into light, moderate, and vigorous intensity using accelerometry-derived metabolic equivalents. Results: Significant age-related differences (p < 0.01) were observed in AAL, ML, and JL, with the youngest group showing the highest values. Likewise, the time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) displayed an age-dependent manner and decreased with age. Older athletes spent more time in low-intensity activities and employed energy-conserving strategies, avoiding high-speed and high-impact actions. Despite these variations, sRPE ratings were similar among groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, age is a crucial regulator of training load and physical activity and should be considered by practitioners and coaches who design training and physical activity plans for master basketball athletes. Despite the age-related differences, participation in basketball matches provides a substantial opportunity for increasing daily MVPA.