Physical fitness, adiposity and testosterone concentrations are associated to playing position in professional basketballers.

Abstract

The effects of basketball on basal concentrations of testosterone and cortisol and its associations to body composition and physical performance remain to be determined. The main aim of this study was to determine the effects of playing position on physical fitness, percentage of body fat and hormonal profile in professional basketball players (BP). Jump performance (SJ, CMJ and ABK), 30 m running speed and treadmill VO2max tests were conducted in 12 male BP (24.1 years) from the first division league of Spain (ACB). The percentage of body fat was determined from anthropometry, and hemoglobin, glucose, testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured from fasting blood samples. BP were divided into 3 groups depending on playing positions: guards (GU), forwards (FW) and centers (CE) (n = 4 in each group). GU had greater percentage of body fat (%BF) than CE (p < 0.05). CE developed greater positive mechanical impulse than GU in all jump types (p < 0.05) and achieved higher maximal instantaneous power than GU and FW in the SJ and ABK (p < 0.05). Centers had more plasma testosterone than guards (p < 0.05). All groups a similar relative VO2max. Center position was associated to lower adiposity and higher jumping performance than playing as guards. All playing positions induced a similar effect on aerobic power.