Psychological readiness mediates performance transfer in constraints-led, game-based basketball training: evidence from a quasi-experimental study

Background Constraints-led, game-based training is increasingly used in basketball, yet the behavioral and psychophysiological mechanisms behind performance improvements remain unclear Methods A quasi-experimental, pretest–posttest design involved 48 male collegiate basketball players allocated into a constraints-led experimental group (EXP, n = 24) or a technique-then-scrimmage control group (CTRL, n = 24). Over 8 weeks, both groups trained 3 × /week with matched intensity (70–85% HR_max, sRPE 6–7). External load (distance, PlayerLoad™, accelerations, jumps), internal/perceptual load (HR, fatigue, enjoyment), and technical–tactical performance (FG%, AST/TO) were evaluated using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA, linear mixed-effects models, and bootstrapped mediation/SEM analyses. Results EXP showed significantly greater gains in FG% (+ 3.3%, d = 0.62) and AST/TO (+ 0.19, d = 0.55) versus CTRL (both p < 0.01), alongside larger increases in distance (+ 11.4%), PlayerLoad™ (+ 9.6%), and accelerations (+ 13.1%) (all p < 0.05). Fatigue decreased while enjoyment increased in EXP, and psychological readiness served as a significant indirect pathway linking load adaptation to performance improvement (indirect effects: β = 0.23–0.41, p < 0.05). Multi-group SEM indicated stronger indirect effects among lower-skill players. Conclusion A constraints-led model enhances basketball performance through an efficiency-based adaptation profile in which external-load engagement, affective recovery, and improved decision-making are jointly aligned. These results highlight representational fidelity and psychological engagement as synergistic drivers of training responses.