Anaerobic and aerobic performances in elite basketball players

Abstract

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO PROPOSE A SPECIFIC LACTATE MINIMUM TEST FOR ELITE BASKETBALL PLAYERS CONSIDERING THE: Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) as a hyperlactatemia inductor, short distances (specific distance, 20 m) during progressive intensity and mathematical analysis to interpret aerobic and anaerobic variables. The basketball players were assigned to four groups: All positions (n=26), Guard (n= 7), Forward (n=11) and Center (n=8). The hyperlactatemia elevation (RAST) method consisted of 6 maximum sprints over 35 m separated by 10 s of recovery. The progressive phase of the lactate minimum test consisted of 5 stages controlled by an electronic metronome (8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0 and 12.0 km/h) over a 20 m distance. The RAST variables and the lactate values were analyzed using visual and mathematical models. The intensity of the lactate minimum test, determined by a visual method, reduced in relation to polynomial fits (2nd degree) for the Small Forward positions and General groups. The Power and Fatigue Index values, determined by both methods, visual and 3rd degree polynomial, were not significantly different between the groups. In conclusion, the RAST is an excellent hyperlactatemia inductor and the progressive intensity of lactate minimum test using short distances (20 m) can be specifically used to evaluate the aerobic capacity of basketball players. In addition, no differences were observed between the visual and polynomial methods for RAST variables, but lactate minimum intensity was influenced by the method of analysis.

Keywords: lactate minimum; mathematical model; polynomial adjust; sprint.

Figure 1

Example of third degree polynomial fit curves (Power of each bout vs. distances) to mathematically determine (deriving the third degree equation and calculating the x max and x min) the RAST variables (Pmax, Pmin, Pavr and FI) and distances (x values) of the Pmax and Pmin

Figure 2

Example of a lactate minimum test of a participant. Hyperlactatemia was induced by the RAST, and the incremental phase was achieved with speeds of 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0 and 12.0 km/h. The stages were separated by 30 s for blood collection and lactatemia determination. Lactate Minimum Equation: The lactate vs. speed was fit by a second order polynomial. The minimum lactate intensity was obtained considering y=0, while the lactate minimum concentration was determined by replacing the LacMin intensity values in x equation. Lactate Minimum Visual: The lactate minimum intensity and concentration was obtained by visual inspection

Figure 3

The third degree equation was derived by the maximal and minimum x values: 1) Δ= b² - 4^*a^*c; 2) x max= -b + √Δ/2^*a; 3) x min= -b - √Δ/2^*a. The maximal and minimum x corresponded with the Pmax and Pmin distance (m)

Figure 4

Mean ± Standard Error in Time (s) and Velocity (m/s) during six sprints for the different groups ^* Different in relation to the Center Group in the same period (p<0.05)

Figure 5

Mean ± Standard Error in Acceleration (m^*s⁻²) and Force (kg^*m^*s⁻²) during six sprints for the different groups ^* Different in relation to the Center Group in the same period (p<0.05)