Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to compare chosen physical fitness characteristics of Turkish professional basketball players in different divisions (first and second division) and playing positions. Forty-five professional male basketball players (14 guards, 15 forwards, 16 centers) participated in this study voluntarily. For each player, anthropometric measurements were performed, as well as a multi-stage 20 m shuttle run, isokinetic leg strength, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10–30 meter single-sprint and T-drill agility tests. The differences in terms of division were evaluated by independent t-test and the differences by playing position were evaluated by one-way ANOVA with Post Hoc Tukey test. First division players’ CMJ measurements were significantly higher than those of second division players’ (p≤0.05), whereas second division players’ 10 m sprint times were significantly better than those of first division players’ (p≤0.05). In addition, forwards and centers were significantly taller than guards. Centers were significantly heavier and their T-drill test performances were inferior to those of forwards and guards (p≤0.05). Moreover, guards had a significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) than centers. Guards and forwards showed significantly better performance in the 10 and 30 m sprint tests than centers (p≤0.05). Forwards and centers had significantly better left leg flexor strength at 180°.s−1(p≤0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that physical performance of professional basketball players differed among guards, forwards and centers, whereas there were not significant differences between first and second division players. According to the present study, court positions have different demands and physical attributes which are specific to each playing position in professional basketball players. Therefore, these results suggest that coaches should tailor fitness programs according to specific positions on the court.
Highlights
Basketball is a predominantly anaerobic sport discipline, where most of the energy demands for high intensity activities such as, starts, stops, and changes of direction, jumps, shots, blocks and rebounds come from the creatine phosphate system (CP) (Delextrat and Cohen, 2009; Meckell et al, 2009; Metaxas et al, 2009)
The main finding may provide coaches and athletes with information as to which physical attributes are specific to each playing position and allow them to tailor fitness programs according to specific positions
Findings of the present study indicate that the physical characteristics and test performance of Turkish first division and second division players are statistically similar, except in countermovement jumps and 10m sprints
Summary
Basketball is a predominantly anaerobic sport discipline, where most of the energy demands for high intensity activities such as, starts, stops, and changes of direction, jumps, shots, blocks and rebounds come from the creatine phosphate system (CP) (Delextrat and Cohen, 2009; Meckell et al, 2009; Metaxas et al, 2009). Anaerobic glycolysis with the production of lactate as a metabolic by-product is incorporated less often in game situations and occurs only when a high intensity activity lasts for 10 to 30 s and energy has to be derived from muscle glycogen stores. Such situations appear during a full court press or during quick transition from defense to offence and vice-versa. 1- Pamukkale University, School of Sport Sciences and Technology, Denizli, Turkey 2 - Gazi University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Ankara, Turkey 3 - Pamukkale University, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Denizli, Turkey. Accepted for printing in Journal of Human Kinetics vol 30/2011 on December 2011
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