Comprehensive evaluation of training load in youth basketball players through integration of heart rate, movement tracking, and rate of perceived exertion

Abstract

Accurately assessing training loads in athletes is essential for optimizing both health and performance outcomes, particularly in youth basketball players where the athlete's developmental stage must be taken into account. This study proposes a comprehensive approach to training load assessment by combining internal measures (heart rate, HR), external measures (motion tracking), and subjective measures (rate of perceived exertion, RPE). Methods: The study involved 15 male basketball players aged 10–11 years. Over a 4-week mesocycle with three training sessions per week, both internal load indicators—average heart rate, maximum heart rate (Max HR), and training impulse (TRIMP)—and external load metrics—total distance, sprint distance, accelerations, changes of direction, and player load—were monitored. Subjective load measures (RPE, session-RPE (sRPE)) were recorded using Polar Team Pro technology. For statistical analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients and 95% bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: The data showed a gradual increase followed by a decrease in training load over the course of the mesocycle. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between Max HR and sprint distance (r = 0.96), total distance and TRIMP (r = 0.893), and total distance and sRPE (r = 0.94).