A Comparison of the Metabolic Changes in Backcourt and Frontcourt Players in a basketball Game Using Metabolomics

Recently, researchers have shown game simulation as the best way of training. On the other hand, there are various posts in basketball which have different physiological and training demands. Therefore, metabolic changes of backcourt and frontcourt players were investigated during a basketball game. 5 main players of 14 teams that participated in 2017 under 23 years of age, national or premier leagues were selected as the subjects. Players’ saliva samples were collected after 40 minutes of a basketball game (with regard to the FIBA roles) and compared using metabolomics. HMNR was used for metabolomics and MestReNova and Metaboanalyst were applied for data analysis. PCA and PLSDA were used for statistical tests. Results showed that taurine, succinic acid, citric acid and glycerol metabolites were higher in backcourt players and lactate and alanine in frontcourt players. Therefore, it can be concluded that backcourt and frontcourt plays relay more on aerobic and anaerobic pathways repetitively. Also, it seems that active oxygen species production is more in backcourt players.