Evolution of the internal load and physical condition of wheelchair basketball players during the competitive season

The objectives of this study were to describe differentiated perceived training and match load (dRPE-L) of wheelchair basketball (WB) players during the whole season, to analyze the evolution of players' physical condition changes during a full season and to analyze the association between dRPE-L and changes in physical condition during a full season. Nineteen Spanish Second Division WB players participated in this study. For a full season (10 months, 26 weeks), dRPE-L was assessed with the session-RPE method, separating respiratory (RPEres-L) and muscular (RPEmus-L) perceived load. The physical condition of the players was also assessed at four different times during the season (T1, T2, T3 and T4). The results showed a significantly higher total and average accumulated muscular RPE load (RPEmusTOT-L and RPEmusAVG-L) than total and average respiratory load (RPEresTOT-L and RPEresAVG-L) (p < 0.01; ES = 0.52-0.55). No significant changes were observed in the physical condition of the players at the different moments of the season. Moreover, a significant association was observed only between RPEresTOT-L and Repeated Sprint Ability standard deviation of 3 m (RSAsdec3m) (r = 0.90, p < 0.05). The results suggest that the competitive season represented considerable neuromuscular involvement in these players.