###### Abstract  
This study aimed to determine the acute effects of the French contrast method (FCM) and post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocols on 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball game demands and thermal asymmetry in male basketball players and to compare these effects between protocols. Eighteen male basketball players (mean \(\pm\) SD; age: 21.7 \(\pm\) 1.5 years, \(10.6\pm 1.9\) years of experience) visited the laboratory four times, 72 h apart. The players participated in three different protocols (baseline: 3 \(\times\) 3 game; FCM + 3 \(\times\) 3 game; PAP + 3 \(\times\) 3 game; respectively). The players' internal and external loads were monitored, game profiles were analyzed, and thermography was applied during the protocols. The results revealed that FCM and PAP did not significantly differ in internal load; however, the significant highest total distance and distance in band 2 during the 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball game was after the FCM. The 1-point attempt was significantly higher after the FCM, and turnover was significantly higher after PAP. Significant thermal asymmetry was observed in the abdominals and lower back after the FCM and PAP. The results of this study provide coaches and practitioners with detailed information regarding the game demands that can be used to improve the playing profile of 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball players. 3 3 2025 15 678  
[PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON]  
of athletes [19; 20; 21]. While it is known that a 1 \({}^{\circ}\)C increase in muscle temperature during short-term exercise can lead to improvements in performance from 2% to 5% [22; 23], and an increase in muscle temperature is associated with improved performance and that an increase as much as 0.3-0.9 \({}^{\circ}\)C can contribute to improved neuromuscular performance [24], whether thermal asymmetry occurs after performance enhancement protocols during warm-up may be an important indicator to evaluate in terms of injury risk. Recording bilateral skin temperature differences (i.e., thermal asymmetry) can be used to detect potential injury risk and measure physical performance [19; 25]. On the other hand, the weaknesses and strengths of the opponent and the own team are determined through game analysis [26], and training programs are specified by determining the external and internal loads of the game. A 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball game is characterized by an average of 28 shot attempts, 12.3-15.4 rebounds, approximately 1 block, 3.9-6.6 turnovers per game with \(\sim\)15% standing and walking, \(\sim\)44% low-intensity activity, \(\sim\)17% moderate activity, and \(\sim\)24% high-intensity activity (with \(\sim\)7 RPE) [7]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [2] reported that male 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball players covered an average of 867.0 \(\pm\) 220.8 m and 46.6 \(\pm\) 10.3 m\(\cdot\)min\({}^{-1}\) during a game. As 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball games are generally played in a tournament style, and since athletes play 2-3 games a day over 2 or 3 days [2], defining the 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball discipline in detail in terms of cumulative fatigue resulting from many consecutive games is crucial, and including practices that maximize performance in games is critical [7; 27]. Thus, athletes who aim to achieve maximum performance by taking advantage of various neuromuscular, metabolic, and psychological changes during games may apply different warm-up routines [28; 29]. As in every sports discipline, the main aim of 3 \(\times\) 3 basketball is to increase the game performance of athletes. Although technical-tactical and strength-conditioning training are applied to improve the performance of athletes [30], methods such as PAP [31], and FCM have recently emerged as acute performance enhancement protocols [32; 33; 34]. PAP protocols, often added after a routine warm-up, are reported to improve performance with an increase in explosive neuromuscular capacity following a performance-enhancing exercise [31] and can improve subsequent performance above and beyond the warm-up [24].