Specific Absolute Velocity Thresholds during Male Basketball Games Using Local Positional System; Differences between Age Categories

The aim of this study was (I) to establish absolute specific velocity thresholds during basketball games using local positional system (LPS) and (II) to compare the speed profiles between various levels of competitions. The variables recorded were total distance (TD); meters per minute (m·min); real time (min); maximum speed (Km h−1), distance (m), percentage distance, and percentage duration invested in four speed zones (standing–walking; jogging; running; and high-speed running). Mean and standard deviation (±SD) were calculated, and a separate one-way analysis of variance was undertaken to identify differences between competitions. TD (3188.84 ± 808.37 m) is covered by standing–walking (43.51%), jogging (36.58%), running (14.68%), and sprinting (5.23%) activities. Overall, 75.22% of the time is invested standing–walking, jogging (18.43%), running (4.77%), and sprinting (1.89%). M·min (large effect size), % duration zone 2 (moderate effect size); distance zone 4 (large effect size), and % distance zone 4 (very large effect size) are significantly higher during junior than senior. However, % distance zone 1 (large effect size) and % duration zone 1 (large effect size) were largely higher during senior competition. The findings of this study reveal that most of the distance and play time is spent during walking and standing activities. In addition, the proportion of time spent at elevated intensities is higher during junior than in senior competition.