Effectiveness of match-day priming strategies on physical and technical performance in female basketball players

Priming refers to pre-competition training interventions designed to acutely enhance subsequent performance by optimizing neuromuscular, metabolic, and psychological readiness. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three match-day priming strategies on physical and technical performance in female basketball players. Eighteen professional players (19.7±2.1 years) from the Spanish third division completed a randomised crossover-controlled study involving four conditions: control (CON), high-load strength (STR; 80% 1RM), low-load power (POW; 40% 1RM), and plyometric with change-of-direction (PLY+COD). Performance was assessed in the morning (pre-test, 10:00 a.m.) and afternoon (post-test, 4:00 p.m.) using the countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), 5-0-5 change-of-direction speed (CODS) test, and a modified shooting-accuracy test. The POW condition resulted in significant improvements in CMJ, CODS, and shooting accuracy. In contrast, STR impaired CMJ, DJ height, CODS, and technical performance, while PLY+COD reduced jump performance and reactive strength. No meaningful changes occurred in CON. Complementary ANCOVA confirmed significant between-condition effects for CMJ, CODS, and shooting accuracy. These findings suggest that low-load, high-velocity resistance priming performed approximately 5 hours before competition can enhance neuromuscular readiness and shooting-accuracy in female basketball. Coaches should prioritise individualised, power-oriented priming routines aligned with players’ training backgrounds to optimise match-day performance.