Monitoring game load across quarters in professional basketball: 
positional differences and contextual effects

Shaoliang Zhang; Ming Li; Xing Wang; Enrique Alonso-Pérez-Chao; Pierpaolo Sansone; Jordan Fox

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2026.157997

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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abstract:

Original paper

Monitoring game load across quarters in professional basketball: positional differences and contextual effects

Shaoliang Zhang

¹

,

Ming Li

¹

,

Xing Wang

²

,

Enrique Alonso-Pérez-Chao

³

,

Pierpaolo Sansone

⁴

,

Jordan L Fox

⁵

Athletic Performance and Data Science Laboratory (APDS), Division of Sports Science and Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
Department of Physical Activity and Sports Science, University Alfonso X el Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

Biol Sport. 2026;43:769–778

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157997

Online publish date: 2026/01/23

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This study aimed to examine quarter-to-quarter variations in external and internal loads, the relationships between RPE and external loads, and the effects of contextual factors on external and internal loads in backcourt and frontcourt players. 16 professional male basketball players (8 backcourt, 8 frontcourt) from the Chinese National Basketball League were recruited. External load was quantified using Catapult S7 devices to record PlayerLoadTM (PL) and Inertial Movement Analysis (IMA) metrics, while internal load was assessed via rating of perceived exertion (RPE). From the first to the fourth quarter, frontcourt players displayed significant reductions in change of direction to the right (Q1: 0.48 ± 0.29 vs. Q4: 0.33 ± 0.16; p < 0.05) and explosive efforts (Q1: 1.49 ± 0.40 vs. Q4: 1.04 ± 0.35; p < 0.01). In contrast, backcourt players reported higher RPE (Q1: 4.28 ± 1.04 vs. Q4: 5.13 ± 1.05; p < 0.05) and recorded higher PL (Q1: 103.10 ± 44.59 vs. Q4: 123.21 ± 57.66; p < 0.01) in the fourth quarter. Frontcourt players showed higher RPE, PL, and PL · min−1, especially in the second quarter, but lower jump-related (IMA jump low, medium, total) and acceleration metrics than backcourt players. RPE correlated moderately to largely with PL and high-intensity jumps (r = 0.41–0.72, all p < 0.05). Backcourt players reported higher RPE in wins compared with losses (ES = 0.42; p < 0.05). These findings reveal notable positional differences in game load profiles, underscoring the need for context specific load management to optimize position-specific recovery.

keywords:

Monitoring game load across quarters in professional basketball: positional differences and contextual effects

Shaoliang Zhang 1 , Ming Li 1 , Xing Wang 2 , Enrique Alonso-Pérez-Chao 3 , Pierpaolo Sansone 4 , Jordan L Fox 5

Basketball, External and internal loads, Game quarters, Playing position, Performance, Contextual factors

Shaoliang Zhang

¹

,

Ming Li

¹

,

Xing Wang

²

,

Enrique Alonso-Pérez-Chao

³

,

Pierpaolo Sansone

⁴

,

Jordan L Fox

⁵