A variable-specific framework for interpreting external training load in professional male basketball

Introduction External load in basketball can be interpreted at whole team, positional, or individualised player levels, but the extent to which each of these classifications adds information beyond the drill context may differ among variables. This study determined whether whole team or positional interpretation was better supported for each external load variable in professional male basketball and whether between-player variability supported complementary individual interpretation after accounting for drill context. Methods External load was monitored using local positioning system and inertial measurement technologies in 84 professional male players from four Spanish first division teams across eight measurement windows and three competitive seasons. The dataset comprised 7,211 individual player drill observations from 608 unique session-drill units in training sessions. Fourteen variables were analysed using linear mixed models with random intercepts for player and session-drill unit. For each variable, models with no positional classification and with two, three, or five positional groups were compared using the Bayesian information criterion, with team measurement window retained as a contextual adjustment when supported. Results Team measurement context was retained for six variables. Whole team interpretation was selected for distance, explosive distance, accelerations, decelerations, impacts, jumps, high metabolic load distance, or energy expenditure. Positional interpretation using two groups, encompassing perimeter and post players, was selected for peak speed, peak acceleration, peak deceleration, high-intensity take-offs, and high-intensity landings. Positional interpretation using three groups, encompassing guards, forwards, and centers, was selected for Player Load. Discussion The supported group interpretation differed among variables, while between-player variability supported complementary individual interpretation across all variables. Drill context should provide the common basis for interpretation, positional interpretation should be applied selectively, and individual interpretation should complement the supported group level. These findings inform the selection of interpretation levels for external load monitoring.