Can the rate of perceived exertion and fatigue of one professional basketball player be modified through a long term nutritional intervention?

Abstract

The rate of perceived exertion of one session (S-RPE) and fatigue of an intermittent exercise can be decreased by carbohydrate ingestion during that specific session. In addition, certain nutritional interventions (NI) improved dietary intake (DI) of athletes, but the effects on long term SRPE and fatigue are unknown. Our aim was to assess whether a long term NI could modify the RPE-S and fatigue of one professional basketball player in training and matches during competitive season. NI (2 months) was carried out with one professional basketball player who recorded daily (1 month pre NI; 2 months during NI) S-RPE and fatigue of training and matches as well as mood state, sleep hours and quality of sleep. Before and after intervention, DI (food diary, 7 days) and body composition (anthropometry) were evaluated. Nonparametric comparison of mean (Wilcoxon) was performed between pre and post/during NI data. Carbohydrate intake increased post NI (3.7 g vs. 5.1 g/Kg weight/day; p< .05). Training S-RPE decreased during the NI (5.3 vs. 5.0 ball; 4.9 vs. 4.4 physical; CR-10 scale) as well as all the variables of fatigue. Matches S-RPE increased during NI (7.5 vs. 8.0; CR-10 scale) as fatigue in the morning and at bedtime but not post-match, which was decreased. The S-RPE and fatigue of training of one professional basketball player could be decreased by a long-term nutritional intervention that leads to the compliance with the recommendations.