Strength and Speed Profiles Based on Age and Sex Differences in Young Basketball Players

Abstract

Team sports are in continuous evolution, and physical performance is acquiring greater importance in the game. The assessment of physical fitness is the most reliable method for knowing if the athlete’s physical fitness is appropriate. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to identify profiles of physical-physiological demands with different specific tests of physical fitness related to the maximum strength of the lower body and speed. Moreover, some differences based on the sex and age of the players were identified. One hundred and forty-nine basketball players were analyzed (men n = 103 vs. women n = 46, weight: 74.74 ± 11.65 kg vs. 56.89 ± 3.71 kg, height: 184.66 ± 11.67 vs. 164 ± 4 and BMI: 21.7 ± 0.83 vs. 21.6 ± 0.90). The players performed an Abalakov test, a multi-jump test, and a repeat sprint ability test. Each player was equipped with a WIMU PRO device, and photoelectric cells were used. A MANOVA was performed to discover the differences between ages, and a t-test was used regarding sex. The results showed significant differences based on age and sex in variables related to time and Player Load/min (p < 0.001). The variables related to steps (contact, step, flight) also showed significant differences as a function of age (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.05). The multi-jump test showed differences based on age (p < 0.05 except in between jumps), but not on sex. These results confirm the importance of working together on lower body strength and speed skills. In addition, the planning of the work on these abilities must be individualized and according to the characteristics of the athlete.

A Comparison in Physical Fitness Attributes, Physical Activity Behaviors, Nutritional Habits, and Nutritional Knowledge Between Elite Male and Female Youth Basketball Players

“…Regarding physical fitness, the results of this study showed that elite male U-14 basketball players had superior jump heights (i.e., CMJ and DJ), linear speed (i.e., 5, 10, and 20 m-sprint times), COD speed (i.e., Lane Agility Drill and 505 COD tests), and RCOD speed (i.e., RCODAtotal) than female players. These results coincide with those reported in U-14 Spanish national basketball players revealing that male players (n = 33) possess superior lower-body power (i.e., abalakov jump and multi-jump test) and repeated-sprint capacity (i.e., repeat sprint ability test) compared to U-14 female players (n = 12) (Mancha-Triguero et al, 2021). This finding is supported with previous literature since sex differences in athletic performances start to increase around the age associated with the onset of puberty in males (12-13 years) (Handelsman, 2017).…”

“…Nevertheless, only one study has compared physical fitness attributes in basketball players under 14 years of age (U-14) according to sex. Specifically, Mancha-Triguero et al (2021) observed that U-14 male basketball players who participated in the Spanish national championship performed better in single (male: 32.6 ± 2.6 cm; female: 25.5 ± 4.0 cm) and repeated (male: 26.4 ± 5.8 cm; female: 20.7 ± 4.3 cm) jumping tests while their U-14 female counterparts had better repeated-sprint ability (male: 14.1 ± 1.1 s; female: 13.8 ± 0.6 s). Given the limited evidence base to draw from, future studies on this topic seem necessary to facilitate the training process in basketball players during early adolescence for optimal progression into and across elite basketball academies.…”

“…Consequently, to address the gaps on this topic in youth basketball, this study aimed to quantify and compare physical fitness attributes, physical activity levels, nutritional habits, and nutritional knowledge between elite U-14 male and female basketball players. Based on findings in previous studies examining U-14 basketball players (Mancha-Triguero et al, 2021) and students during early adolescence (Reimers et al, 2019), we hypothesized that male U-14 players would possess better physical fitness and perform more physical activity outside of regular training and competition than females, and that U-14 females would have better nutritional habits and knowledge than males.…”

Exploring Physical Fitness Profile of Male and Female Semiprofessional Basketball Players through Principal Component Analysis—A Case Study

“…The order of tests was realized following a previous validated protocol [18] relation with the maturity development [12]. In this sense, higher values in male players were found in different capacities/abilities with such as aerobic capacity (related to the body size and age) [13], speed (related to the type II-B muscular fibers), strength (higher size of muscular belly), or agility (related to Q-angle and hip abduction) [11].…”

“…and physical parameters (strength, power, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity, etc.) [10,11], being the physical capacity the most variable aspect throughout a season [6]. It could be influenced by different contextual factors such as sex, age, and competitive level [3,4].…”