Impact of training on body composition in elite basketball players

The demands of professional basketball training involve a constant physiological stress that conditions the physical health of the players. In order to achieve a good performance, the body health of basketball players is essential, so it is necessary to know under what reference values should be worked. The aim of this study was to analyze the body composition of professional basketball players through two measurements. Under a descriptive correlational study, ten professional basketball players were analyzed during two months of regular league competition. Variables related to body composition (e.g. Weight, Fat Mass, Proteins…) and performance in competition (e.g. Minutes, Rebounds, Assists, Faults…) were analyzed. A descriptive analysis, two t-tests, a one-factor ANOVA test and a Pearson correlation were performed. The results of body composition indicate that it evolves throughout the monitored period, but without significant changes. Players are symmetrical in laterality considering body composition. The specific positions are different in terms of body composition. There is correlation between body composition and performance in competition in offensive rebounds (p<0.05, correlations >0.60). Regular measurements should be established to monitor body composition, both to monitor the health of the players and to improve the performance of the teams.