Sergio José Ibáñez

Discriminant analysis of game-related statistics between basketball guards, forwards and centres in three professional leagues

Abstract The aim of the present paper was to examine the differences in game-related statistics between basketball guards, forwards and centres playing in three professional leagues: National Basketball Association (NBA, superior level) in the USA, Associación de Clubs de Baloncesto (ACB, one of the best European leagues) in Spain and Liga de Clubes de Basquetebol (LCB, inferior level) in Portugal. We reasoned that the knowledge of these differences could allow the coaches to better establish and monitor playing patterns and increase the effectiveness of the player recruitment process. Archival data was gathered for the 2000–2001 play-off final series of the NBA (five games), ACB (three games) and LCB (four games). For players in each league, discriminant analysis was able to identify game-related statistics that maximized mean differences between playing positions (p<0.05). The interpretation of the obtained discriminant functions was based on examination of the structure coefficients greater than ∣0.30∣. In the LCB league, centres and guards were discriminated mainly in terms of defensive tasks, with emphasis on blocks (structure coefficient, SC=0.35) and defensive rebounds (SC=0.43) and a de-emphasis on unsuccessful 3-point field-goals (SC= − 0.37). In the ACB, centres and guards were discriminated by offensive tasks, with emphasis on assists (SC=0.52) and 3-point field-goals, both successful (SC=0.35) and unsuccessful (SC=0.35), and a de-emphasis on offensive rebounds (SC= − 0.44). Finally, in the NBA league guards and centres were discriminated by offensive tasks, with emphasis on offensive rebounds (SC=0.31) and a de-emphasis on assists (SC= − 0.37) and unsuccessful 3-point field-goals (SC= − 0.34). These three analyses provided high overall percentages of successful classification (86% for the LCB league, 74% for the ACB and 85% for the NBA). Generally, the players’ game-related statistics varied according to playing position, probably because of the well-known differences in the players’ anthropometric characteristics that conditioned the distance they play from the basket. Coaches can use these results to reinforce the importance of relying on different players’ contributions to team performance and evaluate players’ game performance according to their playing position. Conversely, these discriminant models could help in player recruitment and improve training programmes.

Basketball game-related statistics that discriminate between teams’ season-long success

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify the game-related statistics that discriminate between season-long successful and unsuccessful basketball teams participating in the Spanish Basketball League (LEB1). The sample included all 145 average records per season from the 870 games played between the 2000–2001 and the 2005–2006 regular seasons. The following game-related statistics were gathered from the official box scores of the Spanish Basketball Federation: 2- and 3-point field-goal attempts (both successful and unsuccessful), free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers, blocks (both made and received), and fouls (both committed and received). To control for season variability, all results were normalized to minutes played each season and then converted to z-scores. The results allowed discrimination between best and worst teams’ performances through the following game-related statistics: assists (SC=0.47), steals (SC=0.34), and blocks (SC=0.30). The function obtained correctly classified 82.4% of the cases. In conclusion, season-long performance may be supported by players’ and teams’ passing skills and defensive preparation.

Identifying Basketball Performance Indicators in Regular Season and Playoff Games

The aim of the present study was to identify basketball game performance indicators which best discriminate winners and losers in regular season and playoffs. The sample used was composed by 323 games of ACB Spanish Basketball League from the regular season (n=306) and from the playoffs (n=17). A previous cluster analysis allowed splitting the sample in balanced (equal or below 12 points), unbalanced (between 13 and 28 points) and very unbalanced games (above 28 points). A discriminant analysis was used to identify the performance indicators either in regular season and playoff games. In regular season games, the winning teams dominated in assists, defensive rebounds, successful 2 and 3-point field-goals. However, in playoff games the winning teams’ superiority was only in defensive rebounding. In practical applications, these results may help the coaches to accurately design training programs to reflect the importance of having different offensive set plays and also have specific conditioning programs to prepare for defensive rebounding.

Effects of Intermittent or Continuous Training on Speed, Jump and Repeated-Sprint Ability in Semi-Professional Soccer Players~!2008-03-27~!2008-05-19~!2008-06-12~!

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two different training interventions (Intermittent versus Continuous training) on semi-professional male soccer players speed, jump and repeated-sprint ability. Thirty four play- ers were divided into an intermittent training group (INT, n=18, age=26.7±4.7, height=175.3±5.2cm, weight=72.9±4.8Kg) and a continuous training group (CONT, n=16, age=26.6±5.1, height=174.9±5.9cm, weight=73.2±7.2Kg). The study lasted for 12 weeks and consisted of 20 minutes per training session in physical conditioning following either CONT or INT training guidelines. The players were tested 3 times during 1st, 6th and 12th week of the season. Testing consisted of 15m and 30m sprint time, squat-jump and countermovement jump height and Bangsbo modified sprint test. Two-way re- peated measures ANCOVA (group: INT, CONT x TIME-POINT: Week1, Week6, Week12) showed that INT was faster than CONT in the 6 th and 12 th weeks for the squat jump, 15m, 30m and Bangsbo Modified Sprint Test and that INT re- covered better from intense efforts than CONT. Our results suggest that both training interventions were able to maintain initial values of speed and jump. However, the INT exhibit larger improvements in repeated-sprint ability. Therefore, the power endurance training (intermittent high intensity exercise) may be more beneficial to prepare soccer players accord- ing to the game cardiovascular and metabolic specific determinants.

Software for the basketball player’s evaluation in real time

During training and competition, head coaches must take technical and tactical decisions, basing them on his intuition and experience without the support of objective data. For this reason, it is important to develop indicators for the registration, analysis and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative elements in the practice of sports. The computer application that we present here is an attempt to advance in the development of these instruments, allowing for the compilation, analysis and evaluation of the players’ actions in real time. Our aim is to try to help head coaches to take inter-active decisions, by providing them with information on variables that traditionally have depended on mere subjectivity (technical and tactical actions that conventional statistics do not collect, sequence and effectiveness of the game systems, etc), making possible the quantification and analysis in real time. In order to develop the program, we have objectively established several indicators which allow the information demanded by head coaches during the training or competition to be collected in real time. Once the indicators were validated we proceeded to design and create the instruments (hardware and software) for compiling the information, analyzing it and passing it on to the head coach during the training session or competition. The recording of players’ actions during the development of a basketball game, for example, entails several problems, mainly due to the speed at which the various actions to be recorded occur. In order to solve this, several different people must be involved in the collection of information, each one of them specialized in a different phase of the game, for example one in offence and one in defence, each of them assigned to one team, and all of them must co-operate to collect all the information without any being lost. The entry of a larger number of variables to analyse, both quantitatively and qualitatively, together with their quantification, enables us assess the players in a more accurate way which is more attuned to reality. With this program, it is also possible to view the game events in a different way: according to a player, a team, actions and in real time. All the data obtained will be stored for a later analysis. Future works are aimed at the improvement of devices related to teams. In particular, improvements will be aimed at making the program easier to transport and operate for use inside sport centres by removing the need for cable connection of the equipment. Likewise, the data entry devices are one of the applications which we could be optimized and which we will keep on working on.

The use of continuous vs. intermittent cold water immersion as a recovery method in basketball players after training: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objectives: The main objective of this study was to compare two cold water immersion protocols, continuous or intermittent, on recovery in basketball players. Methods: Ten male basketball players (age: 14 ± 0.4 years, body mass: 65.4 ± 9.1 kg, height: 175 ± 7.3 cm, body fat %: 10.3 ± 4) were included in the study. After three 90-minute training sessions (avg. heart rate 158 ± 11.92, 156 ± 7.06 and 151 ± 10.44 bpm), participants were grouped into a continuous immersion (12 min at 12 ± 0.4°C) group, intermittent immersion (4 x 2 min immersion at 12 ± 0.4 °C + 1 min out of water) group and a control group (CG). Countermovement jump (CMJ), muscle pain and thigh volume were measured. Results: Both cold water immersion protocols were effective in reducing the pain 24 and 48 hours after training compared with the CG (F (3.54) = 2.91, p = 0.016, ηp2 = .24). Concerning CMJ change, % differences occurred at 24 (Z = 11.04, p = 0.004) and 48 hours (Z = 14.01, p < 0.001) in comparison with the CG. Regarding the muscle volume, the statistical analysis did not report a significant interaction (F (3.54) = 2.42, p = 0.058). Conclusion: Both cold water immersion CWI protocols are effective in improving recovery in basketball players.

Progression of Spanish National Team Basketball Players by Age and Sex

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between basketball players that have participated in the Spanish national team at different age categories and their progression through these categories. This progress is differentiated according to sex. The data for this study contain information about 320 players (163 females and 157 males). Results show that only a small percentage of players recognized as talented young players reached athletic excellence when adults. The evolution of the level of participation for females and males was similar. There was a break in the continuity of participation when comparing under-16 and senior categories. This rupture is also observed in female players in the move from under-18 to senior categories.

Estudio de las fases de juego a través del análisis del entrenamiento deportivo en categoría minibasket

El objeto de este estudio fue analizar la planificacion de las fases de juego que realiza un entrenador durante el entrenamiento. La muestra la constituyen la totalidad de las tareas de entrenamiento de dos temporadas deportivas (n=846). Las variables de estudio fueron las fases de juego, los medios de entrenamiento y las situaciones de juego. Se analizaron las diferencias en el tratamiento de las variables en las dos temporadas y la relacion entre las variables. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto el predominio de la fase de ataque sobre la de defensa. El tratamiento de los contenidos ofensivos se plantea con la utilizacion de ejercicios y con situaciones de juegos sin oposicion (1x0). Para el trabajo defensivo se opta por los juegos y las situaciones de 1x1.

Software for planning sport training: Basketball application

It is necessary to establish, define, and specify initially, before the development of a season, the greatest number of variables affecting the development of the training process. This generic definition will serve as a framework for subsequent concretion and development in the different phases of training. The computing application that we here present allows the planning of the training process (the season, macrocycles, mesocycles, microcycles and sessions). This computer application, PYC-Basket, aims to be an instrument to facilitate the work of planning and controlling training sessions for basketball coaches, making this process more rigorous and objective. The computer system presented helps the planning process of the training of basketball teams. It is exhaustive, precise, and objective, and ranges from the general data of a season to those of a training session. Moreover, initial planning information will be compared with real information that will be collected in the different training sessions. This allows control of the training process, so that the deviations occurring in it can be studied. This instrument permits making better use of the time used for planning and controlling the training session, since this will be done automatically on introducing the real data of each work session. The work of the coach must be orientated towards the interpretation of this data and any appropriate adjustments.

Enhanced Conjugation of Auxin by GH3 Enzymes Leads to Poor Adventitious Rooting in Carnation Stem Cuttings

Commercial carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) cultivars are vegetatively propagated from axillary stem cuttings through adventitious rooting; a process which is affected by complex interactions between nutrient and hormone levels and is strongly genotype-dependent. To deepen our understanding of the regulatory events controlling this process, we performed a comparative study of adventitious root (AR) formation in two carnation cultivars with contrasting rooting performance, “2101–02 MFR” and “2003 R 8”, as well as in the reference cultivar “Master”. We provided molecular evidence that localized auxin response in the stem cutting base was required for efficient adventitious rooting in this species, which was dynamically established by polar auxin transport from the leaves. In turn, the bad-rooting behavior of the “2003 R 8” cultivar was correlated with enhanced synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid conjugated to aspartic acid by GH3 proteins in the stem cutting base. Treatment of stem cuttings with a competitive inhibitor of GH3 enzyme activity significantly improved rooting of “2003 R 8”. Our results allowed us to propose a working model where endogenous auxin homeostasis regulated by GH3 proteins accounts for the cultivar dependency of AR formation in carnation stem cuttings.