Anthropometric characteristics and technical skills of 12 and 14 year old basketball players

The aims of this study were: a) to describe the anthropometric characteristics and technical skills in children aged 12 and 14 taking part in competitive basketball; b) to compare the mean scores between these two groups; and c) to detect the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and basketball skills.

At the sample of total of 118 young basketball players, 54 of 14 (± 0.5) year old and 64 of 12 (± 0.5) year old, 18 anthropometric variables were measured: five longitudinal measures, two transversal measures, body mass, four circumferences, six skinfolds and 3 derived variables: Body Mass Index (BMI), sitting height/stature ratio (SH/ST ratio) and sum of skinfolds (SUM SKF). Also, they did four basketball field tests: speed spot shooting, passing, control dribble and defensive movement.

Values of most of anthropometric variables were significantly higher in 14 year old players as compared to 12 year old, except in SH/ST ratio and BMI which were similar. Only values of SUM SKF were significantly lower in 14 year old players. In variables: control dribble, passing and defensive movement 14 year old players have better scores then 12 year old players.

The players presented a very high values of anthropometric dimensions, especially longitudinal and a very good technical skills. The correlation between certain field tests and some anthropometric parameters indicates that some anthropometric measures might have moderately negative influence on test results in technical skills in 14 year old players.