Specific Physical Ability Prediction in Youth Basketball Players According to Playing Position

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.

Sex Differences in Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training Effects and in Brain Processing of Semi-Elite Basketball Players

In the current study, we aimed at evaluating the possible sex differences in cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) effects on the sport and cognitive performance of semi-elite basketball athletes. Moreover, we investigated the CMDT effects on proactive brain processing using event-related potential (ERP) analysis. Fifty-two young basketball athletes (age 16.3 years) were randomly assigned into an experimental (Exp) group performing the CMDT, and a control (Con) group executing standard motor training. Before and after a 5-week training intervention, participants’ motor performance was evaluated using dribbling tests. Cognitive performance was assessed by measuring response time and accuracy in a discrimination response task (DRT). Brain activity related to motor and cognitive preparation was measured through the Bereitschaftspotential (BP) and the prefrontal negativity (pN) ERP components. The CMDT involved the simultaneous execution of dribbling exercises and cognitive tasks which were realized using interactive technologies on the court. Results showed that both groups had some enhancements from pre- to post-tests, but only the Exp group enhanced in the dribbling exercise. In the DRT after the CMDT, females performed faster than males in the Exp group. All groups, except for the Con group of males, performed the DRT more accurately after the training. According to the ERP results, in the Exp group of males and in Exp and Con group of females, we found an increase in pN amplitude (associated with better accuracy); in the Exp group of females and in Exp and Con group of males, we found an increase in BP (associated with better response time). In conclusion, the present study endorsed the efficacy of the proposed CMDT protocol on both the sport and cognitive performance of semi-elite basketball players and showed that the neural basis of these benefits may be interpreted as sex-related compensatory effects.

Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Performance during Competition in Professional Women's Basketball Players

The evaluation of physical fitness in team sports is enjoying greater importance in the training of professional teams. The objectives of this research were to characterize physical fitness and game indicators based on the game position. This is an empirical study, with a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional methodology. In addition, different relationships between the level of physical fitness and the game indicators during the competition were determined. Finally, a predictive analysis of the selected variables was carried out in order to know the importance of the variables in the performance and at what time of the season they had the greatest impact. For this, a professional female basketball team (n = 12) with a mean age of 25.25 ± 7.617 years, height 178.25 ± 9.206 cm and a body mass of 72.33 ± 11.657 kg was analyzed. Each player was equipped with a WIMUPRO inertial device, and all competition statistics were analyzed. The results obtained show that there were no differences among all the skills evaluated and game indicators depending on the game position. Likewise, a relationship was determined between the level of physical fitness and the technical-tactical contribution, being different between different times of the season. Moreover, physical fitness only predicted the player's final performance in the competition for female player centers in the first and second rounds of the championship, and for forwards in the first round. Four physical-physiological profiles with contributions to the different ones during the competition were also determined. Finally, three groups of female players by playing position were identified according to their sport performance, namely PIR, high, medium and low ratings, associated with physical performances. In all groups, there were significant differences between playing positions, PIR and physical performances.

Change of Direction Performance and its Physical Determinants Among Young Basketball Male Players

The main aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the age group (U-15, U-17 and U-19) on change of direction (COD) performance and its specific physical determinants among young basketball male players. Thirty-one young male basketball players (13-18 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The sample was divided into 3 age groups (U-15, U-17, U-19). All the evaluations were carried out in the same order in 3 sessions as follows: 1) body composition, self-reported sexual maturation, COD performance, and intermittent endurance capacity; 2) reactive strength index (RSI), 15-m sprint, and repeated sprint ability (RSA) test; 3) vertical and horizontal jumps and lower-limb strength. The results showed significant differences between groups for age, sexual maturation, endurance capacity, horizontal and vertical jump performances, RSI, COD, RSA, and lower-limb strength (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were identified between COD performances and some physical determinants such as jumping ability and RSA performance (-0.43 < r < 0.85; p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, there are age effects on COD performance and its specific physical determinants among young basketball male players. The associations between COD performance and its determinants should be considered by practitioners when programing athletic talent development for this population.