Jonathan D Bartlett’s scientific contributions

The study assessed the physical and anthropometric profiles of highly trained male and female youth basketball athletes from around the world to inform talent selection and development processes. 727 under-18 athletes (Male: N = 424; Female: N = 304) from Africa, Asia, Americas, and Europe were tested for height, mass, wingspan, hand length and hand width, standing reach, speed, agility, standing vertical jump and maximal vertical jump. One-way ANOVAs determined regional differences in all anthropometric and physical assessments and an independent t-test was conducted between positions. Results present a global normative view of highly trained male and female youth basketball anthropometric and physical attributes. Specifically, gender specific differences were apparent for all anthropometric and physical assessments, population specific differences existed in both the male and female cohorts, and there were clear positional differences showing frontcourt players to be bigger, slower, less agile, and less powerful (e.g., lower jump performance). Collectively, these data provide useful profiling and benchmark information that can be utilized for talent selection and development decision making processes.

This study describes the training demands of highly trained male youth basketball players, based on training year, term and playing position. Data was collected from 41 male youth basketballers over two seasons from all on-court coach-led training sessions utilising an LPS. Linear mixed-models and pairwise comparisons were used to analyse by training year (Y1, Y2 and Y3), term (T1, T2, T3 and T4) and playing position (Backcourt, Frontcourt). Results showed no differences in external load metrics between training years. Significant differences existed between training terms, with total distance greater in both T3 and T4 than T1 and 2 (p < 0.03). Total PlayerLoad was significantly greater in T4 than T1 (p < 0.001) and T3 (p = 0.004). Distance/min was greater in T2, T3 and T4 than T1 (p < 0.01). PlayerLoad/min was higher in T4 than T1 and T2 (p < 0.01). Backcourt players showed significantly greater distance/min (p = 0.011), PlayerLoad/ min (p = 0.011) and deceleration counts (p < 0.001). Overall, limited year-on-year change existed in external training load metrics (p > 0.05), though volume (p < 0.001) and intensity (p < 0.001) differed between terms. Backcourt players completed higher intensities (p = 0.011) than Frontcourt players. This study provides a description of external loads of training in highly trained youth basketball players assisting coaches and performance practitioners to better understand physical demands within youth basketball development pathways. ARTICLE HISTORY

Lever, JR, Duffield, R, Murray, A, Bartlett, JD, and Fullagar, HHK. Longitudinal internal training load and exposure in a high-performance basketball academy. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2024—This study describes the longitudinal training exposure (session counts) and internal training load (Rating of Perceived Exertion [RPE] and Session Rating of Perceived Exertion [sRPE]) of youth basketball players at a high-performance academy, based on the training year, training term, and playing position. Historical internal training load and training exposure data were collated from 45 male high-performance youth basketball athletes between 2015 and 2019. Data included session duration, RPE, sRPE, training type, and date. Linear mixed models and pairwise comparisons were performed on the weekly means and categorized by training year (year 1, year 2, year 3), term (term 1, term 2, term 3, term 4), and playing position (Backcourt, Frontcourt). Linear mixed models indicate that the individual athlete had the greatest influence on variance in training load and exposure. Significant differences were observed for increased session count, duration, and sRPE ( p < 0.001) in year 2 compared with year 1. These measures also increased within each year whereby term 3 and term 4 ( p < 0.001) were significantly greater than term 1 and term 2. No significant differences were observed between playing position ( p > 0.05). Training exposure and internal training load increase in year 2 from year 1 for high-performance youth basketball academy athletes. Differences between training load and exposure for terms (i.e., training blocks) suggest the phase of season influences training prescription, while playing position has limited effect.