A comparison between the planned and actual external loads experienced during training in a professional, male basketball team

Introduction: Comparisons between the training loads encountered by players to those planned by coaches using external load metrics are largely absent in the team sport literature. Consequently, this exploratory, observational study compared the planned and actual external loads during training sessions in a professional, male basketball team, overall and separately according to key factors. Methods: effect sizes, and Bland-Altman analyses were used to compare planned and actual external loads overall across all sessions combined and for each category within each factor. Results: effects). Discussion: Our findings highlight the extent of misalignment between planned and actual external training loads within different contexts for a specific approach adopted in the monitored team. Accordingly, end-users can interpret this level of agreement in line with their own standards, and utilize the recommendations we provide to strengthen this agreement further.