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

Abstract

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 < 0.05), experienced greater training strain in week 1 (p < 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.

Talent Identification in Youth Basketball: Talent Scouts’ Perceptions of the Key Attributes for Athlete Development

“…In basketball, youth coaches are continually evaluating the attributes and qualities that may predispose individuals to a successful career (Arede et al, 2022;Figueiredo et al, 2009;Huijgen, Elferink-Gemser, Post, & Visscher, 2009). Holistic and multidisciplinary approaches to talent identification have been advocated (Hoare & Warr, 2000;Unnithan et al, 2012), though there remains limited understanding of how youth coaches/scouts identify future talent (Larkin & O'Connor, 2017;Larkin & Reeves, 2018).…”

“…Talent identification processes are commonly employed in the sporting domain with the aim of developing future elite level performers. However, the process is complex with coaches and talent scouts using a variety of physiological, technical, tactical, psychological, and performance assessments to identify future elite players (Arede et al, 2022;Carvalho, Gonçalves, Collins, & Paes, 2018;Larkin, Marchant, Syder, & Farrow, 2020;Wiseman, Bracken, Horton, & Weir, 2014). These assessments provide the foundation for high performance youth coaches and talent scouts to make informed decisions regarding the next generation of elite performers (Larkin & O'Connor, 2017).…”

Elite Adolescent Ice Hockey Players: Analyzing Associations between Anthropometry, Fitness, and On-Ice Performance

“…Past research suggests that anthropometric characteristics and/or body composition are variables associated with success in sport, whether at the senior professional level [ 21 , 22 ], or among younger competitive athletes [ 23 , 24 ]. In team sports such as basketball, handball, or rugby, characteristics such as body mass, height, and wingspan are among the factors that determine an athlete’s potential [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. There is a plethora of methods for measuring the anthropometric characteristics of athletes.…”

Preparing for the youth basketball European Championship: Perceptual response and acute effects of an injury prevention program

“…Sports injuries negatively influence team performance due to absence from regular training and competition, 1 which can be especially problematic in the national team setting, where only a short period of time is available to enhance player readiness, and the prevalence of injuries is usually high (2.55 injuries/athlete/month). 2 Furthermore, NT setting comprises discontinuation of injury prevention or TL monitoring performed in a club setting, 3,4 and an increase in physical demands and TL, [5][6][7] which may increase the likelihood of injury. That said, to have all players available to practice and compete prior to international competition is paramount to align modifiable intrinsic injury risk factors (e.g.…”