Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of U12-U18 Basketball Players at International and National Level

Objective: To describe the anthropometric and physical fitness parameters of young basketball players aged 12 to 18 years, as well as to assess differences between male and female players across different categories. Methods: A sample of 126 international and national level players (71 males and 55 females) was evaluated for height, arm span, body mass, body fat percentage, and various physical tests, including vertical jumps, manual grip strength, balance, and reaction time. Results: The results revealed significant differences between genders, particularly in arm span, jumping ability, and grip strength, where males outperformed females (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were found in body mass, body mass index (BMI), or flexibility. The study also found that certain anthropometric and physical traits, such as arm span and grip strength, correlated with on-court performance metrics like points per game and three-point shooting accuracy. These findings contribute to the literature by providing updated reference values for the assessment of young basketball players, which could aid in talent identification and personalized training programs. Conclusion: Despite its contributions, the study is limited by its cross-sectional design. Future research should explore longitudinal developments and extend the sample to different levels of competition and regions to enhance the generalizability of the findings.