Breaking Down the 3 × 3 Basketball Game: How Tournament Phase, Game Outcome, and Final Score Margin Impact Physiological, Perceptual, and Mental Demands

Purpose: To evaluate heart rate (HR), perceived exertion, and mental effort (ME) in 3 × 3 male basketball games according to tournament phase, game outcome, and final score margin. Methods: Forty-one adult male 3 × 3 players (tiers 2-3) were monitored across 3 tournaments. Microsensors quantified average HR and peak HR responses during gameplay. Additionally, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and ME scores were collected after games. Separate linear mixed models analyzed the effect of tournament phase (group, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals), game outcome (won and loss), and final score margin (balanced and unbalanced) on HR responses, RPE, and ME. Results: No effects of tournament phase, game outcome, or final score margin were found for average HR (P = .834) or peak HR (P = .566). RPE was higher in semifinals than group (P = .019, small) and round of 16 (P = .007, small) games. RPE was also higher in lost games compared to won (P = .028, small) and in balanced games compared to unbalanced (P = .027, small). Similarly, ME was higher in semifinals and finals when compared with group games (P < .05, small) and round of 16 games (P < .05, moderate). ME was also higher in balanced games when compared to unbalanced games (P = .029, small), while no difference was found between won and lost games. Conclusion: In 3 × 3 basketball, HR responses remain constant across different tournament phases, game outcomes, and final score margins, while perceptual and mental demands are greater in the knockout rounds and balanced games. It is recommended that coaches prepare players appropriately for the greater perceptual and mental demands posited by balanced and knockout stage games.