Relationship of selected variables to performance in women's basketball

Twenty women were measured on physiological, anthropometric, motor fitness and skill related variables in order to provide a current profile of elite female basketball players. Performance of each subject was evaluated firstly to determine the relationship between performance and selected variables and secondly to determine which variables best discriminated between the top and lower ranked performers. The profile of the elite female player had changed considerably subsequent to rule changes. The better basketball players exhibited a superior aerobic power and anaerobic capacity, were more accurate shooters and possessed less body fat. The factors which best discriminated between high and low performers were accuracy shooting, percent fat and VO2max. These variables could be used in a test battery to assist in the selection and development of potential basketball players.