Morphological and Fitness Attributes of Young Male Portuguese Basketball Players: Normative Values According to Chronological Age and Years From Peak Height Velocity

Selection-Dependent Differences in Youth Elite Basketball Players' Relative Age, Maturation-Related Characteristics, and Motor Performance

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of players' relative age, maturation-related characteristics, and motor performance tests on two different stages of talent selection (regional and national level) in youth elite basketball. Methods: Relative age, maturation-related variables (height, weight, maturity offset, maturity timing) and motor performance (Countermovement jump, Standing long jump, Modified agility T-test, Linear sprint 20 m) of N = 68 male youth basketball players (Mage = 14.39 ± 0.28 years) were assessed during the initial selection tournament for the German U15 national team. Pre-selection biases regarding relative age and maturity timing on the regional level were investigated utilizing one-sample t-tests. Differences in relative age, maturation-related characteristics and motor performance between players selected (n = 27) and non-selected (n = 41) for the youth national team were examined via independent samples' t-tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Strong pre-selection biases toward early-born and early-maturing players were confirmed on the regional level. Significant advantages in height and weight and higher values in maturity offset and maturity timing were found for selected players. Among the motor variables, only Countermovement jump performance was significantly better in selected players. When controlling for relative age and biological maturation regression models including motor performance variables did not significantly discriminate players' selection status. Conclusion: Coaches working in national, but also preceding selection stages (regional and club level) should raise their awareness to relative age and biological maturation when evaluating players' potential and current (motor) performance.

Basketball talent identification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the anthropometric, physiological and physical performance factors

Background

The purpose of this study was to do a systematic review and meta-analysis about the anthropometric, physiological, and physical performance that discriminate the physical talent in basketball.

Methods

The search was conducted using the most relevant databases as Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus, according to the PRISMA (2020) guideline. Keywords such as "basketball", "talented identification", "anthropometric", "physiology" and "physical performance" were used for the search, in English and following the "PICOS" question model. Eighteen articles' overall methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Review Forms.

Results

The study found in basketball, height, body mass, Yo-Yo test, T-test, 20 m sprint, and jump performance had statistical significance between elite and non-elite groups, including different positions and levels.

Conclusions

The reviewed literature highlighted a complicated relationship between anthropometric, physiological, and physical performance. Based on the results of the study, it's possible that height, body mass, agility, speed, endurance capacity, and lower lamb power could affect the early development of basketball.

Biological maturation, contextual factors, and future career in basketball: A possible interrelationship?

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between the maturational state and contextual factors with future basketball career success in Under-16 (U16) Portuguese youth preparing for the U16 European Basketball Championships. Eighty-five Under-15 (U15) and U16 male basketball players (height: 189.7 ± 6.53 cm; body mass: 81.1 ± 9.96 kg; the age of peak height velocity: 13.3 ± 0.7 y) were selected by the Portuguese national coaching staff to participate in a national team training camp in 2016, 2017, and 2018 years. A binary logistic regression was employed to identify the influence of maturation, born quartile, demographic, geographic and economic characteristics, and sport career (i.e., drop out during first season and chance of playing professionally). Early maturing players were typically classified as inside players. Training experience and predicted adult height, and type of first club were able to predict players who dropped out during their first season at senior level (both p < 0.01). No variables were able to predict who played in a professional league during their first season at senior level. Practitioners should use these data to consider how national level basketball players are identified and developed, but also keep in mind of their specific contextual factors.

Gender- and Sport-specific Normative Anthropometric and Physical Values in Talent-Identified High School Athletes

ABSTRACT

Larkin, P, Sortino, B, Carlon, T, Saunders, T, and Pane, C. Gender- and sport-specific normative anthropometric and physical values in talent-identified high school athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 606-615, 2023-Youth sport is associated with the identification and promotion of athletes within talent development pathways, with anthropometric and physical performance measures being key assessment and monitoring tools. To adequately evaluate performance within a population, normative reference data are needed; however, currently, there is limited normative values of talent-identified youth athletes. The aim of the current study is to present normative values of talent-identified youth sport academy athletes in relation to gender, age, and sport. Over a 5-year period, a total of 794 talent-identified youth athletes who attended a specialized school sports academy were assessed using anthropometric (i.e., heigh,; body mass) and physical performance (i.e., vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test 1) measures. In total, 451 male and 343 female athletes (grade 7: 12-13 years; grade 8: 13-14 years; grade 9: 14-15 years; grade 10: 15-16 years) were tested annually. The result demonstrates that for each gender, as age increases, there is a general increase in anthropometric measures (i.e., height and body mass). Furthermore, with increasing age, athletes generally have a higher vertical jump, faster sprint performance, and improved physical endurance. The results highlight sport-specific differences for each measure. Overall, the results of the study provides age-, gender-, and sport-specific normative data of talent-identified youth athletes. These findings provide representative performance profiles of talent-identified high school athletes, with the values potentially being used by coaching staff (i.e., head coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, rehabilitation staff) for comparison purposes.

The effects of body size and training environment on the physical performance of adolescent basketball players: the INEX study

BACKGROUND

Although adolescent basketballers differ in body size, shape, and composition, less is known about how these factors interact during physical development.

AIM

We used ontogenetic allometry to identify the optimal body size and shape characteristics associated with physical performance in adolescent basketball players, and investigated the effects of training experience, training volume, maturity status, and club characteristics on physical performance development.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-four male basketballers, from five age-cohorts (11-15 years of age), were followed consecutively over three years. Three physical performance components, anthropometrics, training information, and biological maturation were assessed bi-annually. Longitudinal multiplicative allometric models were developed.

RESULTS

Players with a physique that had a dominant ectomorphic component performed better in all physical performance components. When adjusting for confounders other than size, the development of running speed was independent of body size. Players advanced in maturation were physically fitter. Training data had no significant effect on developmental trajectories of running speed or lower body explosive strength. Club characteristics had no significant association with any physical performance trajectories.

CONCLUSION

Leaner players have advantages in physical performance and individual characteristics play an important role, over and beyond club structure, in developing physical performance.

Training Load, Maturity Timing and Future National Team Selection in National Youth Basketball Players

Despite its importance to the management of training stress, monotony and recovery from exercise, training load has not been quantified during periods of intensity training in youths. This study aimed to (1) examine and quantify the training load (TL) in youth national team basketball players during a 2-week training camp according to maturity timing and (2) determine which parameters were related to under-18 (U18) national team selection. Twenty-nine U-16 national team basketball players underwent an anthropometric assessment to determine maturity timing. Players were categorised by maturity timing (early vs. average), whilst TL parameters during a 2-week training camp (i.e., 21 sessions) prior to FIBA U16 European Championship were used for group comparison and to predict future U-18 national team selection. The early-maturing players, who were taller and heavier (p &lt; 0.05), experienced greater training strain in week 1 (p &lt; 0.05) only. Irrespective of maturity timing, training loads in week 2 were predictive of onward selection for the U-18 national team. Conclusion: Based on present findings, practitioners are encouraged to develop their athletes' ability to tolerate high weekly loads, but also to be mindful that athletes' perceived exertion during national team training may be influenced by maturity timing.

Does predicted age at peak height velocity explain physical performance in U13-15 basketball female players?

Background

The aims of the study were (1) to identify the physical fitness and basic anthropometric characteristics of Polish female basketball players aged 13–15 years, (2) to show the effect of maturity timing on the performance in motor tests and basic body composition parameters, (3) to identify the index that contributes most to the prediction of performance in the tests of speed, jumping ability, agility, and endurance.

Methods

The sample included 904 female Polish players (U13–15). In part 1, maturity timing category distribution were examined within across age-groups. Maturity timing was followed by grouping with respect to years before or after the observed peak high velocity (PHV): PHV0 (− 0.50 to 0.49), PHV1 (0.50 to 1.49), PHV2 (1.50 to 2.49) and PHV3 (2.50 to 3.49). In part 2, the relationship between the anthropometric variables, physical fitness performance was assessed based on maturity timing categories (ANCOVA analysis). In part 3, backward stepwise multiple regression analyse quantified the relationship between maturity timing (group of PHV) and physical performance.

Results

ANCOVA results (age, body height, and body mass as covariates) showed in the U13 female basketball players significantly higher sprinting (20 m), jumping ability and endurance tests results of the PHV1 group. Better results was observed in U14 female players in PHV1 compared to PHV2 and PHV3 in 20 m and jumping tests but opposite trend was observed for 5 m sprint and endurance test (distance covered and VO2_max). U15 basketball players from the PHV3 group were characterized by better results of jumping abilities, endurance, 10 m and 20 m sprint and agility (total, S₄) tests. Maturity timing (10 m), chronological age (5 m, 20 m, agility, SVJ, VJ, and VO_2max tests), body height (10 m), body mass (10 m, 20 m, VJ, VO_2max), and the interaction between body mass and height (SVJ) were significant (adjusted R² = 0.02–0.10; p < 0.001) predictors of motor skills.

Conclusion

Trainng content of female basketball players aged 13–15 years old should be adjusted to biological requirements especially in jumping, endurance and 20 m sprint test. The time from peak height velocity (PHV) was a significant predictor only in the 10 m sprint test.

Effect of maturity timing on the physical performance of male Polish basketball players aged 13 to 15 years

The aims of this study were (i) to identify the motor potential and basic anthropometric characteristics of Polish basketball players aged 13 to 15 years, (ii) to demonstrate the effect of maturity timing on the results achieved in motor tests and basic body composition parameters, and (iii) to determine which index contributes most to the prediction of performance in the individual tests of speed, jumping ability, agility, and endurance. The sample included 818 male Polish players. Analysis of values related to age-adjusted characteristics showed that in the under 13-year-old group, early maturers had significantly better results (except for stage 1 in the agility test) than average maturers. However, in the endurance test in the under 14- and 15-year-old groups (both distance covered and VO_2max), the average maturers obtained higher values. Furthermore, maturity differentiation in the under 14- and 15-year-old groups significantly affected body size, 20-m sprinting time (under 14-year-old group only), and the results of all jumping tests. ANCOVA results (age, body height, and body mass as covariates) showed better results of early maturers in the under 13-year-old group. The opposite trend was observed in the under 14- to 15-year-old groups, where early maturing individuals performed worse in the running vertical jump (VJ) and endurance tests (both distances covered and VO_2max). Maturity timing (VJ and VO₂max), chronological age (5 m, 10 m, 20 m, agility, and VO_2max tests), body height (all tests), body mass (5 m), and the interaction between body mass and height (10 m, 20 m, agility, standing vertical jump, vertical jump) were significant (adjusted R² = 0.08–0.25; p < 0.001) predictors of motor skills. These findings can be helpful in quantifying and controlling the results of youth sports programs adjusted to biological requirements used in the training process.