Biological maturation, training experience, body size and functional capacity of adolescent female basketball players: A Bayesian analysis

Abstract

In the present study we examined the age-and maturity-associated variation on body size and functional capacities in 47 adolescent female basketball players. Also, we examined the relative contribution of growth and maturity status to functional capacity between player variation. Data included chronological age, age at menarche, years of training experience; body dimensions; countermovement jump, Line drill test and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test-level 1. Bayesian multilevel modelling was used to estimate the independent effects of age, maturity status, years of training experience and body size on functional capacity indicators. Players were, on average, advanced in maturity status, with a mean age at menarche of 11.20 years (1.32 years). Age-associated variation in age at menarche, body size and functional performance was present. No substantial maturity-associated variation was observed for stature and functional capacities, but late maturing players appeared to be less experienced in the sport. Variance partition coefficients ranged between 38% and 45% for the three indicators of functional capacities. Body mass and adiposity were the predictors identified for all indicators of performance. Maturity status and years of experience were predictors of performance in the countermovement jump while age and years of experience were predictors of performance for the Line drill. Stature was only identified as a predictor of the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery-level 1. Coaches should interpret functional performance in adolescent female basketball players considering their different ages (chronological, biological and accumulated training) and their influence on body dimensions.

Effects of Anthropometric Growth and Basketball Experience on Physical Performance in Pre-Adolescent Male Players

“…Young players with early maturation often outperform their late maturing peers in muscle strength and endurance. While numerous studies exist on the effects of biological maturation on the physical and technical performance of adolescent basketball players [12,[15][16][17][18][19], there is a paucity of scientific literature on the assessment of anthropometric changes and performance characteristics in pre-adolescent basketballers.…”

Comparative study of anthropometric measurement and body composition between junior handball and basketball players from the Serbian national league

“…Top level athletes might be expected to exhibit characteristics that are specifically favorable for a sport [7]. All competitive sports played at the professional level require that the body performs to its optimal biomechanical and physiological capacity [8]. Correct assessment of body composition in sports is important since errors may lead to mistakes in training prescription and diet elaboration, and therefore affect athletic performance [5].…”

Changes in tactical performance and self-efficacy on young female basketball players

“…Data was organized into two groups of menarcheal status: early (n=19), average/late (n=11). Further details for players´ classification by menarcheal status are reported elsewhere 18 .…”

“…It offers an intuitive and probabilistic interpretation, conditional on the data, in particular deal with small scale applied team sport studies 17 . Multilevel modelling allows a flexible and robust framework to account for variation from different sources and levels of observation, that are not answered with traditional statistical approaches used in sports science 18 .…”