Differences in the Most Demanding Scenarios of Basketball Match-Play between Game Quarters and Playing Positions in Professional Players

The purpose of this study was to compare the most demanding scenarios (MDS) encountered by professional basketball players across game quarters and playing positions during official match-play. Ten professional bas- ketball players were monitored during 11 matches using a local positioning system. Peak physical demands were measured via total distance, distance >18 and >21 km·h -1 , number of sprints >18 and >21 km·h -1 , and number of accelerations and decelerations >2 and >3 m∙s -2 captured over 30, 60, 120, 180, and 300-s rolling averages. Linear mixed models and effect sizes (ES) were used to compare MDS encountered between game quarters and playing positions. Between Quarters 1 and 2, there was a reduction in the total distance (ES = 0.64-1.39) for all playing groups along with a reduction in distance >21 km·h -1 in centres (ES = 0.77-0.81) and a reduction in accelerations and decelerations >2 m∙s -2 in guards (ES = 0.66-0.78) across longer sample periods (180-300-s). Between Quarters 1 and 4, reductions in the total distance were evident for forwards and centres (ES = 0.64-0.91) as well as distance and sprints >21 km·h -1 in centres (ES = 0.64-0.97). Regarding positional differences, guards and forwards covered a higher total distance than centres across most quarters and sample periods (ES = 0.22-1.44). Our data suggest a decrease in MDS with game progression in basketball. In addition, MDS appear to be duration-specific and posi- tion-dependent in basketball. Therefore, practitioners should consider these differences in MDS based on game quarters and positional demands to optimise individual and team performance.