Physiological and psychological profiles of elite 3×3 and 5×5 basketball players for training and educational applications

Abstract

<p>Aim of the study: Due to the higher intensity and distinct technical-tactical demands of 3×3 basketball compared to the traditional 5×5 format, assessing both physiological and psychological characteristics is essential for game-specific training and athlete preparation. This study aimed to compare the physiological and psychological performance characteristics of elite male athletes competing in 3×3 and 5×5 basketball, to support the development of targeted training and monitoring strategies.</p> Methods: A total of fifteen professional male basketball players participated in the study, including eight 5×5 players and seven 3×3 players. The following physiological variables were assessed: countermovement jump (CMJ) height, isometric knee extension torque, reaction time, and heart rate variability. Psychological indicators included vigour (Profile of Mood States), intrinsic motivation and amotivation (Sport Motivation Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression (SelfReport Scale), and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale).</p> Results: The results indicated that 5×5 players demonstrated significantly greater CMJ performance (p = 0.002), while 3×3 players showed significantly higher levels of vigour (p = 0.017) and intrinsic motivation (p = 0.024). Although other psychological variables did not reach statistical significance, small to moderate effect sizes suggest potentially meaningful differences between the groups. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of tailoring both physiological and psychological preparation to the specific demands of each basketball format. Further research is warranted to examine how these characteristics influence in-game performance and long-term athlete development.</p>