The study titled “Examining physical and technical performance among youth basketball national team development program players: a multidimensional approach” by Kazimierz Mikołajec et al., published in Scientific Reports in 2025, analyzed the anthropometric profiles, motor abilities, technical skills, and functional capacities of male youth basketball players in the Under-15 (U-15) and Under-16 (U-16) categories. The primary aim was to evaluate the impact of biological maturation on physical and technical performance and to identify predictors of sport‑specific performance.
Methodology
The study involved 234 male basketball players: 161 in the U-15 category (mean age: 14.78 ± 0.02 years; basketball experience: 5.1 ± 0.8 years) and 73 in the U-16 category (mean age: 15.67 ± 0.02 years; basketball experience: 6.7 ± 1.3 years). All athletes were Caucasian and members of 34 sports clubs competing in national championships within their respective age groups. Among them, 18 players were members of the U-16 national team.
Training volume was similar across participants: 8 hours and 45 minutes per week, consisting of three 90‑minute technical sessions, three 45‑minute strength and conditioning sessions, and one weekly 2‑hour game. Data collection took place between 2017 and 2020 during the regular season, within the same period each year (November to February), before the playoff phase.
Procedure
All participants, their legal guardians, the clubs, and the Polish Basketball Federation were informed in writing about the objectives, benefits, and procedures of the research project, as well as their right to withdraw at any time. The inclusion criterion was written informed consent; exclusion criteria included contraindications to basic anthropometric measurements, injuries, or trauma.
The study was approved by the Local Ethical Committee for Scientific Research (SKE 01–28/2016) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Anthropometric Measurements
Body height was measured barefoot with the head positioned in the Frankfurt plane using a stadiometer (Seca 264, Seca GmbH & Co. KG, Germany) with an accuracy of 0.1 cm; standing height was measured similarly (Seca 216, Seca GmbH & Co. KG, Germany). Body mass was assessed using a JAWON Medical X‑Scan Plus II device (Medical Device Certificate No. EC0197) with an accuracy of 0.1 kg.
All measurements were performed by an anthropometry expert with ISAK Level 1 accreditation, following the standards of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK).
Physical Performance Tests
After anthropometric assessments and warm‑up, fitness tests were conducted across two sessions, ensuring adequate rest between tests:
- Morning session:
• Sprint test (speed)
• Vertical jump test (jumping ability)
• Agility test - Evening session:
• Aerobic endurance test
Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Technical Skill Tests
The following day, the athletes completed:
Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
A battery of seven fundamental movements used to assess movement quality and identify limitations or asymmetries:
- Deep squat
- Hurdle step
- In‑line lunge
- Shoulder mobility
- Active straight‑leg raise
- Trunk stability push‑up
- Rotary stability
Basketball‑specific technical tests
- Jump shot
- Free throw
- Dribbling
Results
The results revealed significant differences between U‑15 and U‑16 players in anthropometric characteristics and physical abilities. U‑16 players showed greater body height and superior vertical jump performance compared to U‑15 athletes.
Within the U‑15 group, players with more advanced biological maturation exhibited greater body mass, height, arm span, and better vertical jump performance. Biological maturation emerged as a significant predictor of 20‑meter linear speed and vertical jump performance.
Additionally, chronological age, height, body mass, and functional abilities were identified as significant predictors of physical performance. Regarding basketball‑specific technical skills, only height and FMS scores showed a significant association.
Conclusions
This study highlights the importance of a multidimensional approach that considers maturation status, anthropometric data, physical and technical abilities, and functional assessments to support athletic development in youth basketball players. Such information can guide personalized training strategies aimed at improving both physical and technical performance on an individual basis.
CITATION:
Mikolajec, Kazimierz & Arede, Jorge & Gryko, Karol. (2025). Examining physical and technical performance among youth basketball national team development program players: a multidimensional approach. Scientific Reports. 15. 10.1038/s41598-025-87583-7
REFERENCE – ORIGINAL ARTICLE
