Physical Attributes, Physiological Characteristics, On-Court Performances and Nutritional Strategies of Female and Male Basketball Players

Abstract

This article reviews a series of studies (n = 51) examining physical attributes, physiological characteristics, on-court performances and nutritional strategies of female and male elite basketball players. These studies included relevant information on physical and physiological variables, such as height, weight, somatotype, relative size, aerobic profile, strength, anaerobic power, agility and speed. Six main findings emerged from our review: (i) differences in physical attributes exist among playing positions and skill levels (e.g. guards tend to be lighter, shorter and more mesomorphic than centres); (ii) maximum aerobic capacity (VO(2max)) values of female and male players are 44.0-54.0 and 50-60 mLO(2)/kg/min, respectively; (iii) male and female players of higher skill levels tend to have higher vertical jump values; (iv) the more skilled female and male players are faster and more agile than the less skilled players; (v) guards tend to perform more high-intensity movements during game play compared with forwards and centres; and (vi) a water deficit of 2% of bodyweight can lead to reduced physical and mental performance during an actual game. Five limitations associated with the testing protocols used in the studies are outlined, among them the lack of a longitudinal approach, lack of tests performed under physical exertion conditions, and lack of studies using a time-motion analysis. In addition, three practical recommendations for the basketball coach and the strength and conditioning coach are presented. It is concluded that the data emerging from these studies, combined with the knowledge already obtained from the studies on physical and physiological characteristics of elite basketball players, should be applied by basketball and strength and conditioning coaches when planning training programmes for elite basketball players.

Heart rate responses of referees during the 2011 Eurobasket Championship

“…The difference in relative intensity displayed by referees and players therefore increases as matches' progress, with the greatest discrepancy occurring in the final quarter. It is also apparent that the relative HR values recorded in this study are higher than those reported in an international women's tournament by Leicht (2008), thereby suggesting that the physiological strain imposed by officiating may be greater in male tournaments, possibly dues to the greater physiological capacities of elite male players (Ziv and Lidor, 2009). …”

“…Given that Ziv & Lidor (2009) have reported that elite male basketball players display increased aerobic capacity values compared to female players, it is by no means certain that the physiological responses in a group of male referees officiating an international male tournament will be similar to those in a group of (predominantly) male referees officiating a female tournament. This study examined physiological responses in a group of international referees during match play at a major international basketball championship to determine whether physical activity levels were maintained throughout the course of matches.…”

Differences of muscular performance between professional and young basketball players

“…According to several time-motion studies, these skills are basic in high level basketball games, as they are involved in about a third of all game actions (Abdelkrim, Castagna, Jabri, Battikh, Fazaa, & Ati, 2010;Abdelkrim, El Fazaa, & El Ati, 2007;Narazaki, Berg, Stergiou, & Chen, 2009). So, achieving good performances in these variables is part of any basketball training program from an early age (Abdelkrim et al, 2010;Castagna, Abt, Manzi, Annino, Padua, & D'Ottavio, 2008;Castagna, Manzi, D'Ottavio, Annino, Padua, & Bishop, 2007;Korkmaz & Karahan, 2012;Marzilli, 2008;Ziv & Lidor, 2009). The ability to repeat sprints (RSA) has been much studied in the literature because of its relevance in team sports (Bishop, Girard, & MendezVillanueva, 2011;Caprino, Clarke, & Delextrat, 2012;Castagna et al, 2008;Dawson, 2012;Wong, Gar Sun, & Smith, 2012).…”

Heart rate and time-motion analyses in top junior players during basketball matches

“…Ben Abdelkrim et al (2007) examined internal load, expressed by average heart rate, and found that 91± 2% of peak heart rate (HR peak ) of players (national Tunisian U19 team) was achieved during a warm up match. Ziv and Lidor (2009) stated that 86.20 ± 5.30% of HR peak was achieved during the first half and that 86.70 ± 4.30% of HR peak was achieved during the second half of the warm up match (U18 category). Average heart rate, measuring from 87 to 91% of HR peak, was examined in studies that focused on a cohort of top senior basketball players (Matkovič R. B., Matkovič B., & Knajz, 2005;McInnes, Carlson, Jones, & McKenna, 1995;Montgomery, Pyne, & Minanhan, 2010).…”