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

Abstract

The aims of the present study were: (i) to describe the structural and functional attributes of young male Portuguese basketball players aged 12–16 years and (ii) to generate normative data according to chronological age and years from peak height velocity. A total of 281 male Portuguese young basketball players between the ages of 12 and 16 years were assessed in this study. Chronological age, maturity parameters (maturity offset and predicted age at peak height velocity), morphological (body mass, height, and skinfolds and length), and fitness (sprint, change of direction ability, jump, and upper body strength) attributes were measured. Descriptive statistics were determined for the age and maturity status, and the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles were chosen as reference values. Descriptive and normative values of the players' morphological and fitness attributes, stratified by age and maturity status, are provided. The normative values of age at peak height velocity (category YAPHV = 0) showed that regional basketball players presented average values (50th percentile) of 169.8 cm for height, 173.3 cm for arm span, 55.6 kg for body mass, 3.34 s for the 20-m speed test, 10.31 s for the T-test, 4.75 m for the 2-kg medicine ball throw, 66.9 kg for the combined right and left handgrip strength, and 30.1 and 35.9 cm for jump height in the countermovement jump (CMJ) and CMJ with arm swing, respectively. In conclusion, these results may be helpful to quantify and control an athlete's performance over time and to adjust strength and conditioning programs to biological demands.

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

“…All equations used to predict YAPHV (maturity shift) or APHV have the same major limitations 75,76 . The advanced maturity timing of adolescent male athletes and the relatively narrow range of variation in predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV) may undermine its utility and effectiveness in talent identification and development programs when applied at a specific time point 29,38 . Although the stability of predictions within individuals is poor and group classification is not accurate, APHV predicted by the Mirwald equation 23 can be used successfully among boys who reach average (in time) maturation and in the period of rapid growth (12-15 years) 38 .…”

“…The advanced maturity timing of adolescent male athletes and the relatively narrow range of variation in predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV) may undermine its utility and effectiveness in talent identification and development programs when applied at a specific time point 29,38 . Although the stability of predictions within individuals is poor and group classification is not accurate, APHV predicted by the Mirwald equation 23 can be used successfully among boys who reach average (in time) maturation and in the period of rapid growth (12-15 years) 38 . Given the importance of biological maturity in talent identification and the difficulties in implementing maturity protocols other than those mentioned above, the resulting data covering a large sample of Polish players can help coaches identify individuals with the best potential.…”

“…After basic anthropometric measurements, standardized 20-min warm-up (slow jogging followed by static and dynamic stretching, and a series of submaximal sprints) 38 was performed by strength and conditioning coach, and physical fitness tests were realized in the following order: speed, jumping ability, agility, and endurance. The fixed order of the individual tests allowed us to avoid performing two consecutive lower or upper body tests.…”

Does Predicted Age At Peak Height Velocity Explain Physical Performance In U13-15 Basketball Female Players?

“…All equations used to predict APHV (maturity shift) or APHV have the same major limitations [63,64]. The advanced maturity timing and the relatively narrow range of variation in predicted age at peak height velocity may undermine its utility and effectiveness in talent identi cation and development programs when applied at a speci c time point [6,15].…”

“…Among a large group of those willing to participate in the competitions in team sports, very few athletes reach the highest level of sports skills, while talent identi cation and quali cation for a sport are based on broad criteria selected through scienti c analysis [13]. Many studies have emphasized biological variability in sports for young athletes and emphasized it as one of the important aspects of talent identi cation and sports quali cation process [14][15][16][17].…”