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Investigation of the relationship between external and internal load in youth basketball (Bachelor thesis)

Νεδέλτσος, Ευστράτιος/ Nedeltsos, Efstratios

Monitoring training load is a key tool for planning and individualized training management, reducing injury risk, and optimizing performance in youth athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between external and internal load indicators during basketball games in the under-16 (U16) age category. The sample consisted of 61 basketball players who participated in the final stage of the Greek National U16 Championship. External load was recorded using Kinexon inertial measurement units (IMUs) and included total and per-minute distance covered, accumulated acceleration load (AAL), mechanical load (ML), and jump load (JL). Internal load was assessed via the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale and session-RPE (sRPE) indices, based on both active and total playing time. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to explore the relationships (p ≤ 0.05). Results revealed low to very high positive correlations between total external and internal load indicators, with the strongest association observed with sRPE. In contrast, per-minute external load indicators did not show significant correlations with RPE or sRPE. These findings suggest that, in a congested and competitive match schedule at the U16 level, perceived fatigue is primarily associated with accumulated mechanical workload and duration of participation, rather than intensity markers normalized per minute. The combination of external load metrics and RPE can support more targeted and safer training load management in youth basketball players.