Maturation and Physical Performance in National Level Youth Basketballers: Implications for Strength and Conditioning Coaches

The purpose of this study was to (i) describe the anthropometric and performance characteristics of New Zealand national level youth basketballers and (ii) examine the relationship between maturation and these characteristics. One hundred and eighty-nine Under 14 and U15 basketball players, boys (n=100; age=14.1±0.5 years; height=178.3±9.0 cm; body mass=70.0±16.0 kg) and girls (n=89; age=14.1±0.7 years; height=169.8±7.6 cm; body mass=65.2±12.3 kg) participated in the study. Anthropometric variables were measured to determine maturity timing and status. Horizonal and vertical jumps, change of direction agility and speed were assessed for physical performance. Differences in performance tests between the boys and girls were assessed via independent samples T-test and linear regression analyses were performed to assess if %PAH (predictor) was associated with each anthropometric or performance variable (outcome). There were significant differences between boys and girls for all anthropometric and performance tests favouring boys (ES = 0.33 to 1.47; p < 0.001). Girls were significantly more mature (greater %PAH) than boys (ES = 1.85; p <0.05). In boys, for every 1% increase in %PAH there was a moderate (ES = 0.63 to 0.71) increase in anthropometric measures and mostly small (ES = 0.24 to 0.33) increases in performance measures. In girls, the increase in anthropometric measures was moderate to large (ES = 0.59 to 0.82). These findings demonstrate that maturation was significantly associated with anthropometric and performance variables in boys but only anthropometric variables in girls. Strength and conditioning coaches should be aware of these differences and consider the practical implications that maturation can have in long-term athlete development planning of young basketball players.