This is my breakdown of how Load Management is impacting basketball across the waters, where there are major differences across continents and different leagues. I discuss the system, accumulative load and its effect on tissues, neurological impact, watering down a good product, pressure on coaches. It is a wonder how athletes are performing suboptimally and risking their joints and the integrity of their connective tissues, as well as their maximum production. The full potential of their abilities. 

The argument of less practices or more rest days applies more to Europe and the European Leagues, the NBA has adjusted to these predicaments and situations. And they’ve done it medically and business wise really well, because they’ve adjusted to the science and the data. 

The analysis made here on this episode is using deductive reasoning from my experience in working with professional athletes in most professional high level leagues. Therefore I apply my analysis and conclusions that most likely occur at some level in these settings. All these premises might not apply in all settings, but if they do the reasoning is most likely correct.  

I am also medically trained and educated as a physiotherapist, and I have accumulated knowledge on psychology, neurology and behavioural medicine through university studies and access to science papers. I also hold a bachelors in management and business administration, the reason for some of my business knowledge. 

Here are some scientific articles for you to read more on the topic.

Aksović, N., Bubanj, S., Bjelica, B., Kocić, M., Lilić, L., Zelenović, M., Stanković, D., Milanović, F., Pajović, L., Čaprić, I., Milić, V., Dobrescu, T., & Sufaru, C. (2024). Sports Injuries in Basketball Players: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 14(7), 898. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070898

Debbie Palmer, Torbjorn Soligard, Gwen Fernandes, Dave Collins, Niall Elliott, Paul Kelly, Iain Murray, Lars Engbretsen - IOC Olympian Health Cohort: a study protocol for a 15-year, prospective, Olympian health study across Summer and Winter Olympic sports: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2024;10:e002061.

Gabbett, T. J., & Oetter, E. (2024). From Tissue to System: What Constitutes an Appropriate Response to Loading?. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 10.1007/s40279-024-02126-w. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02126-w

Lewis M. (2018). It's a Hard-Knock Life: Game Load, Fatigue, and Injury Risk in the National Basketball Association. Journal of athletic training, 53(5), 503–509. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-243-17