Will the COVID-19 infection affect the performance of top basketball players? A data-driven analysis

Abstract

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PurposeTo investigate the changes in the game performance of high-level basketball players in NBA league before and after the COVID-19 infection.MethodsAthletic statistics were collected from official database for 68 players (19 forwards, 29 guards, 20 centers; mean age 27.14 ± 3.65 years) in the NBA league for 10 games before and after infection with COVID-19. We used a the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance to examine the impact caused by COVID-19.ResultsAmong all 68 players, a statistically significant decrease in plus/minus (Z = −2.392, p = 0.017) and free throw shooting (FT% Z = −2.153, p = 0.031), occurred compared to the pre-infection with COVID-19. Among the interior players, we found a statistically significant decrease in free throw shooting FT% (Z = 2.674, p = 0.021), Plus/Minus (Z = −2.371, p = 0.018). Among centers and forwards, there was no statistically significant change.ConclusionThe impact of COVID-19 on players’ fatigue and cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance may have contributed to the decline in performance, and the impact of detraining due to isolation should not be ignored.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• elite basketball players
• performance
• return to play
• National Basketball Association