Are Contextual Factors Determinate to Weekly Training Load in Basketball? Analysis in a Professional Team

This study explores how contextual factors opponent level, match location, and previous game results influence weekly training load (WTL) in professional basketball. Twelve male professional basketball players from the Spanish second division participated in this observational study. Training load metrics included total distance (TD), player load (PL), high-speed running distance (HSR), high-intensity accelerations (HI ACC), and high-intensity decelerations (HI DEC). Contextual factors such as match location (home vs. away), opponent level (high, medium, low), and match outcome (win vs. loss) were analyzed. All participants were fully informed about the purpose, risks, and potential benefits of the research and provided written informed consent for the collection of data for scientific purposes. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the European University of Madrid (CIPI/18/195), and all procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. No significant differences in training load metrics were found based on opponent level, match outcome, or match location. Significant differences were observed in training load as match day approached, with reductions in load on the day before the match (MD-1) compared to earlier days. The lack of significant differences in WTL based on contextual factors suggests that professional basketball teams may employ a consistent training approach, focusing on overall season performance and minimizing injury risk rather than adjusting loads based on recent game outcomes or opponent level.