Elite Female Basketball Players Research Articles

Longitudinal comparison of the relationship of energy intake with body composition and physical performance in elite female basketball and volleyball players

Abstract Purpose To maximise sporting success, disciplines such as basketball and volleyball need to improve their methods of analysing the sporting performance and fitness of their athletes. Although energy intake quantities have been established at a theoretical level for women to perform at a sporting level, it has been found that these energy intake levels are not met or followed and that, despite this, the performance of female players is not diminished. Thus, the purpose of this research study was to describe and compare the anthropometric characteristics of these two disciplines and to identify the differences in actual and theoretical energy intake, as well as to observe physical performance in both disciplines. Methods Anthropometric data, continuous quantitative data, training time and characteristics, and energy intake data were collected. Performance tests included upper and lower body strength, speed, agility, and endurance tests. Dietary monitoring showed lower intakes of total energy, carbohydrate and protein than theoretically recommended. However, the athletes experienced overall improvements in performance and body composition. Results The mean total energy intake was 20.2 ± 4.3 kcal·kg−1·day−1. The minimum individual mean intake was 9.8 kcal·kg−1·day−1 and the maximum was 25.95 kcal·kg−1·day−1. Carbohydrates accounted for 54.3% ± 8.8% of the energy intake; 20.3% ± 6.5% from fats; 25.4% ± 5.7% from proteins. Conclusions Current data suggest that, although a cause-effect relationship between dietary intake and BC performance cannot be determined, elite athletes in these sports disciplines may experience beneficial outcomes despite having lower total energy, CHO, protein, and fat intakes than previously recommended in the literature.

How the perfectionistic climate of a sports team predicts the athletic performance of elite athletes: a case study of the CUBAL women's basketball team.

In competitive sports, understanding how the perfectionistic climate within teams influences the performance of elite female athletes can provide valuable insights for enhancing coaching practice and athletic achievement. Based on the cognitive appraisal theory of stress, this study constructs a dual-path model using stressors and coping strategies as mediators, referred to as the Perfectionistic Climate on Athletic Performance model (PCPM). The study explores the predictive role of the perfectionistic climate within sports teams on the athletic performance of elite female basketball players. The empirical study the relationships among the variables in the model using a sample of 125 core players from the top-level women's basketball teams in the 24th CUBAL24 tournament in 2022. A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted using AMOS 20.0, primarily employing the bias-corrected Bootstrap method to test the dual-path model. The findings reveal double-edged paths towards a perfectionistic climate on athletic performance. In the positive pathway, a perfectionistic climate can positively predict athletic performance through challenge-related sources of stress and positive coping strategies. In the negative pathway, a perfectionistic climate can negatively predict athletic performance through threat-related sources of stress and negative coping strategies. Coaches need to pay attention to athletes' cognitive evaluations of the perfectionistic climate as a source of pressure. By setting challenging goals, coaches can guide athletes to view the perfectionistic climate of the sports team as a source of challenging pressure, thus unleashing their potential. Coaches should actively guide athletes in coping with the pressure brought about by the perfectionistic climate, enhancing their ability to handle stress. This will enable athletes to better adapt to the team's perfectionistic climate and further improve individual and team athletic performance.

ASSESSMENT OF SLEEP HEALTH IN ELITE FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS DURING INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: A CASE STUDY

INTRODUCTION & AIMS Sleep health is recognised as an essential component to optimise overall wellbeing and athletic performance. However, athletes frequently report sleep disturbance prior to and during competition, with nearly a quarter of athletes experiencing moderate to severe sleep problems international travel and subsequent competition. The Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) was developed as a sleep screening tool to detect clinically significant sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction in athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess sleep health (sleep disturbances, sleep difficulty and daytime dysfunction) via a sleep screening tool in elite female basketball players during international competition. METHODS Participants were 12 elite female basketball players (New Zealand Women’s Senior National Team, Tall Ferns) competing at the 2021 International Basketball Federation Women’s Asia Cup in Amman Jordan. The Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (16 item) was used to assess sleep health and associated factors during the 7-day tournament to determine the impact of international travel. The ASSQ was scored according to previous validated methods to determine chronotype, sleep difficulty score, clinical sleep problem category (none, mild, moderate, or severe), and potential referral to a sleep physician for assessment due to poor sleep health. Categorical variables were summarised with frequency and percent. The study was approved by the University of Southern Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (H21REA182). RESULTS Clinical sleep problems, as categorised by sleep difficulty score ≥ 8, were reported in 33% of the athletes, with 25% classified as moderate and 8% classified as severe. Fifty percent of the athletes reported sleep disturbance during travel, while 42% reported daytime dysfunction when travelling for competition. According to chronotype classification, 75% of athletes were categorised into evening type, 33% ‘definitely evening’ type sub-category, with 25% categorised into morning type. In total, 42.0% of athletes (5 players) were identified for further assessment. CONCLUSION This study highlights the effective use of the ASSQ as an easy to administer sleep screening tool to determine sleep health in elite female basketball players. The ASSQ provides a method of accurately identifying athletes that would benefit from sleep hygiene education, sleep travel management and subsequent preventative measures related to clinically significant sleep problems. In this case study, a substantial portion of elite female basketball players appear to suffer from suboptimal sleep and would likely benefit from interventions targeting sleep health. This is an important consideration and provides valuable insights into indicators of sleep health in the management of female athlete sleep health and wellbeing during international competition.

Approaches on physiological changes in the performance of elite female basketball players

The international level of elite women's basketball is in great contrast with the Albanian reality regarding the sports performance of the players. The purpose of this literature review is to focus on physiological changes in sports performance during a season in elite female basketball players. Methods: This literature review used a structured methodology to examine the impact of different training loads on the physiological responses of elite female basketball players over 20 years of age during a season. To collect the data for our study, 4 bibliographic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Pro Quest) were used using the Jab Ref program. According to a hybrid of sports scientific methods, we found 60 scientific articles that matched our requirements, integrating anthropometric analysis, body composition, strength tests and speed tests. Conclusions; At the end of this literature review, a more in-depth understanding of the complex effects of training loads on physiological responses and sports performance in female basketball players during competitive sports seasons has been formed. It is for you emphasized the lack of studies on elite women's basketball in Albania in performance evaluation.

Reducing Limb Asymmetry in Females Collegiate Basketball: A Randomized Trial

Background and Aim: Interlimb strength asymmetry has garnered significant attention in the field of sports science for its potential to influence both athletic performance and injury risk. Despite this, there is a noticeable gap in the literature concerning its impact on elite female collegiate basketball players. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of targeted weaker limb strength training in reducing jump strength asymmetry among elite female college basketball players. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled design was used, involving 24 elite female college basketball players from Guangzhou Sports University. The Experimental Group underwent specialized training for the weaker limb, while the Control Group followed balanced training. The primary outcome was the change in the maximum ground reaction force (GRF) during single-leg jumps. Linear Mixed-Effects models were used for statistical analysis, with a two-tailed significance level of p<0.05. Result: The intervention was effective in reducing Countermovement Jump Asymmetry and Horizontal Jump Asymmetry with statistical significance (p-values 0.0045 and 0.029, respectively) but did not significantly impact Lateral Jump Asymmetry (p-value 0.2733). These findings were consistent when comparing the Experimental and Control groups post-intervention (p-values 0.0055 and 0.0474 for Countermovement and Horizontal, respectively; 0.3995 for Lateral). Time and group interaction analyses were significant but not universally consistent across all measures after the Bonferroni correction. Overall, the intervention had a mixed but generally positive effect on jump asymmetry. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that targeted weaker limb strength training can effectively reduce jump strength asymmetry in elite female collegiate basketball players. These findings have implications for athletic training regimens aimed at both improving performance and reducing the risk of injury.

Ground Reaction Forces, Asymmetries and Performance of Change of Direction Tasks in Youth Elite Female Basketball Players.

The magnitude and direction of inter-limb asymmetries in a change of direction (COD) have increased interest in scientific research in recent years. This present study aimed to investigate the magnitude of asymmetries in an elite youth female basketball sample (n = 18, age = 17.79 ± 0.67 y) and determine its directionality using force platform technology. Participants performed 70° and 180° COD tests analyzing the following variables: time, ground contact time (GCT) and ground reaction forces (GRF) along the anterior-posterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes. Inter-limb asymmetries were evident in both COD tests, with substantial differences observed between limbs (p < 0.01). The asymmetry values ranged from 3.02% to 24.31% in COD 180° and from 1.99% to 21.70% in COD 70°, with anterior-posterior GRF consistently exhibiting the highest asymmetry magnitude. Additionally, the directionality exhibited variability between the tests, indicating poor agreement and suggesting the independent directionality of asymmetries across tasks. Moreover, players required more time to complete the COD 180°, the GCT was noticeably longer for the COD 180° than for the COD 70°, and GRF varied across the axis, suggesting that players adapt uniquely to the specific demands of each task. The utilization of force platforms presents a comprehensive approach to assess asymmetries and COD variables performance variables which are "angle-dependent", which could have important implications for COD screening and effective training interventions.

Investigation of eye movement characteristics during free throws at varying intensities among basketball players and its correlation with free throw percentage.

Free throws serve as a crucial scoring mechanism in basketball games. As the level of basketball and the intensity of competition continue to improve, the frequency of free throw attempts gradually rises. However, with heightened game intensity, maintaining a consistent free throw success rate becomes increasingly challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the eye movement characteristics exhibited by basketball players during free throws of varying intensities, as well as explore the relationship between these eye movement characteristics and free throw percentage. Twenty elite female basketball players were recruited to perform free throws at varying exercise intensities (low, moderate, and high) while wearing an eye tracker device. Eye tracking data was collected using the Tobii Glasses 3 eye tracker. Additionally, the Polar team pro, a heart rate monitoring system manufactured in Finland, was utilized to monitor participants' heart rates during different exercise intensities. The average number of fixations on the hoop and net during free throws of varying intensities exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The fixation durations of the hoop, backboard, and net exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Notably, the hoop accounted for the highest proportion of the overall average fixation duration. high-intensity free throws necessitate lengthier processing durations compared to low-intensity and medium-intensity free throws. Furthermore, for free throws of moderate intensity, there was a significant negative correlation between the number of fixations on the hoop and free throw percentage (P < 0.05). Conversely, for high intensity free throws, there was a significant positive correlation between the fixation duration on the hoop and free throw percentage (P < 0.05). Under the three kinds of sports intensity, the players mainly focus on the hoop position, the moderate intensity free throw has the best stability, and the information search strategy and information processing efficiency are the highest. In high intensity free throws, the longer the fixation duration at the hoop, the higher the free throw percentage; The higher the number of fixations at the hoop, the lower the percentage of free throws.

Anthropometric, Physiological, and Neuromuscular Profiles of Elite Female Basketball Players Across Court's Position

Anthropometric, Physiological, and Neuromuscular Profiles of Elite Female Basketball Players Across Court's Position

Mindfulness traits as potential inhibitor of irrational performance beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty amongst elite female basketball players

Dispositional mindfulness promotes adaptive responses to pressure situations and reduce anxiety and emotional distress, which are common manifestations in sport. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of mindfulness characteristics in the display of irrational performance beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty amongst a sample of elite female basketball players (N = 67, Mage = 25.73 years, SD = 4.4). An online Qualtrics survey containing demographic items, the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, Irrational Performance Beliefs Inventory, and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale was used to collect the study data, which were analysed using SPSS. The results from both Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression analyses indicated that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness are significantly related to elite female basketball players having fewer irrational beliefs about their performance and being more tolerant of uncertain situations in their sport. One-way analysis of variance further indicated a significant difference between low, average, and high mindfulness groups, with Tukey's post-hoc analyses confirming that participants with high mindfulness displayed significantly fewer rigid, extreme, self-defeating performance beliefs in sport, and were less prone to impulsive reactions to uncertain circumstances compared to participants with low mindfulness. Sport psychology practitioners are encouraged to consider the integration of mindfulness assessment and training protocols with traditional cognitive behaviour modification approaches to counter female basketball players’ display of distorted beliefs in sport and adverse reactions to ambiguous experiences.

Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness during a Season in Elite Female Soccer, Basketball, and Handball Players

The purpose of the study was to examine and detect the changes in cardiorespiratory fitness of female soccer, basketball, and handball players during an annual training cycle. In the study, 19 soccer players (23.2 ± 4.3 years), 26 basketball players (21.1 ± 5.4 years), and 26 handball players (21.1 ± 4.2 years) participated. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and a laboratory maximal oxygen uptake test (VO2max) at the beginning of the preparation training period, in the middle of the competitive season, and at the end of it. VO2max showed significant changes in all three team sports from the initial measurement to the final, with a significant value increase in the middle of the competitive season and a small drop at the end (soccer 52.1 ± 5.6 vs. 59.6 ± 6.3 vs. 53.5 ± 5.4, basketball 44.6 ± 5.8 vs. 50.3 ± 8.5 vs. 45.9 ± 6.4, and handball 47.9 ± 4.8 vs. 49.1 ± 5.3 vs. 46.7 ± 4.9 mL/kg/min) (p &lt; 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the cardiorespiratory fitness of female soccer, basketball, and handball players was significantly improved in the middle of the competitive season, probably due to the development of physical capacity. The decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness at the end of the competitive season, which was observed in all three team sport athletes, possibly occurred due to the differentiation in the training program.

Effects of A 3-Week Modified Complex Training on Athletic Performance of Women's National Basketball Players

Basketball is one of the popular sports in the world, and physical performance is becoming increasingly important in basketball as the game evolves. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a 3-week modified complex training on athletic performance of women's national basketball players. An experimental study involved the participation of 12 highly trained female basketball players (national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Observed variables before and after 3-weeks of modified complex training were 300 yards test, 20-yards test, lane agility and beep test. Means and standard deviations for each of the variables were calculated, and differences pre-to-post performance changes were examined using a paired sample t-test. Three weeks of specific complex training sessions show a statistically significant increase in all tested variables, 300 yards (p≤.001); 20 yards (p≤.001); Lane agility (p≤.001) and beep test (p=.028). It can be concluded that applied complex training program has significantly improved studied parameters of condition preparation of elite female basketball players.

Acute effects of caffeinated chewing gum on basketball performance in elite female players

Background: To date, no study has investigated the effects of acute intake of caffeinated chewing gum in female basketball players. Methods: Nine elite female basketball players participated in a randomized crossover placebo-controlled double-blind experiment. All athletes participated in two identical experimental trials 15 minutes after ingestion of (i) chewing gum containing 150 mg of caffeine (i.e.~2.3 0.2 mg/kg of caffeine) or (ii) non-caffeinated chewing gum with an inert substance to produce a placebo. After the ingestion of the gum, the athletes performed the following tests: (i) a sprint test (0-20 m), (ii) agility T-test, (iii) isometric handgrip strength test, (iv) countermovement jump test, (v) free throw test, and (vi) three-point shot test. Results: No significant differences were observed in any physical or skill-based tests (p &gt; 0.05 for all). However, the effect size in the sprint and agility T-Test, jump height test, and free-throw test was higher in the caffeine conditions, with effect sizes of small or moderate magnitude (ES = 0.31 – 0.64) over the placebo. Conclusion: From a practical perspective, the benefits of caffeinated chewing gum are minor, at least in elite athletes with a mild level of caffeine consumption.

The Functional Form of the Relationship between Body Height, Body Mass Index and Change of Direction Speed, Agility in Elite Female Basketball and Handball Players.

The aim of this study was to assess the functional form of the relationship between two anthropometric measurements-body height (BH) and body mass index (BMI)-and two motor abilities-change of direction speed (CODS) and agility (AG)-in female elite basketball and handball players. It was hypothesized that BH and BMI might be significantly associated with AG and CODS. Two scenarios of the Five-Time Shuttle Run to Gates test (planned and unplanned) were used to evaluate the CODS and AG. Two forms of models were built to assess functional forms of the relationships between CODS and AG vs. BH and BMI: simple linear regression and binomial curvilinear regression for each type of team sport. The results confirmed the relationships between both anthropometric measurements and motor abilities only in HB, whereas in BB only a significant relationship was noted between BH and AG. Moreover, two curvilinear functional forms of the relationship were identified: inverted L-shape and inverted U-shape. Therefore, it was concluded that the first form of function indicated an initially proportional relationship between anthropometric measurement and motor test results and plateau after reaching a certain value of the BH or BMI. Similarly, the second form of function indicated the peak value of the BH or BMI which is threshold for the value of the anthropometric measurement when a progressive effect in the functional feature occurs.

Postural profile of female basketball players and differences among playing positions.

Basketball players often display poor balance and increased injury rates when compared to other athletic categories. Therefore, the relationship between postural control and injury risks in basketball athletes requires investigation. The purpose of this study was to: (a) establish a postural profile of elite women basketball players, (b) compare postural control of the different playing positions to detect the vulnerability of postural balance, and (c) attempt to understand the reasons underlying these differences. 30 elite female basketball players (aged 21.4±2.3 years) were assigned to three groups according to their playing positions (n=10 guards; n=10 forwards; n=10 centers). A one-way analysis of variance was performed to determine differences between balance test variables under three conditions (static, dynamic antero-posterior and medio-lateral). When a significant main effect was observed, Tukey's post-hoc multiple comparisons tests were used to determine statistical significance. Associations between balance and morphological variables, muscle strength and power were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results reveal that basketball players had better postural control than previously studied handball players and non-athletes, but they are more dependent on vision than other categories. When comparing postural controls of playing position, centers show greater vulnerability [Y mean (OE)] than forwards: p<0.001; or guards: p<0.01), due to morphological factors (body mass r=-0.80, height r=-0.68, and lower limb length r=-0.63, and specific power r=-0.40). Therefore, coaches and strength and conditioning specialists should give specific focus to improving lower limb strength and power in centers and taller basketball players to mitigate against injury risks related to postural control.

Impact of hip abductor and adductor strength on dynamic balance and ankle biomechanics in young elite female basketball players

This study aimed to evaluate, in an isolated and relative manner, hip abductor (ABD) and adductor (AD) strength and to study the extent to which these factors are related to balance and ankle dorsiflexion mobility in young elite female basketball players. Sixty trainee-level elite female basketball players (13–18 years old), who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, were divided into three subgroups based on competition age divisions (U14, U16, U18). Isometric hip ABD and AD strength in each leg was evaluated using the ForceFrame Strength Testing System, also calculating the strength ratio and imbalance between legs. Y Balance Test (YBT) and ankle dorsiflexion mobility were also assessed. ANOVA was used for between-group differences analysis. Likewise, the impact of hip strength on balance and ankle mobility was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. A linear regression model for dependent variables was created with all variables that exhibited significant correlations. A between-group comparison analysis for the three competition age subgroups (U14, U16, U18) revealed non-significant differences (p > 0.005) for the hip strength variables except for hip ABD strength. The correlation study showed low-moderate effect sizes for hip ABD (in both the contralateral and homolateral limb) and AD strength (only the homolateral limb) with YBT and ankle dorsiflexion. However, when performing a regression model, only right hip ABD significantly predicted right limb YBT scores (β = 0.592, p = 0.048). The present study indicated that, although both hip ABD and AD strength correlate with balance and ankle mobility with low-moderate effect sizes, only hip ABD strength was found to significantly predict YBT scores. Therefore, the potential role of hip ABD strength in particular, but also hip AD strength, for monitoring and enhancing balance and ankle mobility outcomes, should be taken into consideration when designing and implementing preventive strategies for lower-limb injuries.

An integrated mindfulness and acceptance-based program for young elite female basketball players: Exploratory study of how it works and for whom it works best

In order to better understand how an integrated mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention works and for whom it works best, study objectives were to examine (i) the trajectories of mindfulness skills and performance-related outcomes during the intervention, and athletes’ perceptions of the impact of the intervention; and (ii) the potential moderating effects of personality characteristics on changes in targeted variables associated with the intervention. The sample consisted of 40 young elite female basketball players (M = 16.33, SD = 0.75 years) from three incoming groups at the French Federal Basketball Center over a 3-year period. All players participated in a 15-week Mindfulness BasketBall Integrated program. They completed online questionnaires measuring personality traits 10 months before the intervention, as well as pre-, mid- and post-intervention measurements of mindfulness skills, intensity and directional interpretation of stress, and performance satisfaction. They also participated in semi-structured social validation interviews conducted one month after the intervention. The results of the multilevel growth curve (MGCA) and thematic analyses revealed how the mindfulness skills and performance-related outcomes evolved over the course of the intervention and how these changes were perceived by the athletes. Specifically, the MGCA showed significant linear increases in acceptance, positive stress direction, and performance satisfaction. The complementary social validation data indicated perceived improvements in mindfulness skills and performance. The MGCA also showed that baseline personality traits moderated the effects of the program on acceptance and experience of stress. These findings may be used to inform the design of more effective integrated mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions.

Modification of Diurnal Cortisol Secretion in Women's Professional Basketball. A Pilot Study.

Elite basketball training causes high levels of physiological stress, which can lead to negative physiological disorders in female athletes. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of physical activity on the rhythm of salivary cortisol secretion in elite female basketball players over one week. The population sample included 9 women professional basketball players. The control group was made up of 9 women who did not do any exercise. Saliva samples were collected from all participants at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on training days. Samples from the basketball group showed a significantly higher cortisol secretion. Moreover, from the second night, the pattern of cortisol secretion of these players was reversed, showing higher levels of cortisol in saliva at night than in the morning. The results suggest that the secretion rhythm changed over the course of the week and according to competitive demands.

Assessing the Magnitude and Direction of Asymmetry in Unilateral Jump and Change of Direction Speed Tasks in Youth Female Team-Sport Athletes.

The direction of inter-limb asymmetries and the change of direction (COD) deficit are two aspects that have increased in recent years. The main objective of the present study was to assess the magnitude of neuromuscular asymmetries in an elite youth female team-sports sample and determine its directionality. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the relationship between COD deficit, linear speed and COD time performance. Elite female youth basketball and handball players (n = 33, age = 16 ± 1.17 y) performed the Single Leg Countermovement Jump in vertical (SLCJ-V), horizontal (SLCJ-H), and lateral (SLCJ-L) directions, the COD and the 10-m sprint. Results showed statistical differences between limbs in all the neuromuscular tests (p < 0.001). The Kappa coefficient showed poor to fair levels of agreement between tasks (K range = -0.087 to 0.233), indicating that asymmetries rarely favoured the same limb between skills. Additionally, small and non-significant correlations were found between the linear sprint capacity and the COD ability. The findings of the present study highlight the independent directionality of asymmetries across tests. The COD deficit does not appear to be much more advantageous than COD total time to measure asymmetry. Practitioners are encouraged to use a fitness testing battery to detect existing side differences and each ability should be specifically trained with functional tasks.

Relationship between internal and external load in elite female youth basketball players

Abstract Introduction Monitoring load has been a key point in team sports during last years. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the external and internal training load during full basketball practices in elite female youth basketball players. Material and methods Thirteen elite female youth basketball players (age 16.3±1 years, height 181.7±5.8cm and body mass 71.2±9.6kg) had physical and physiological monitored over seven weeks. Players’ internal load was assessed using the session-rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), the Edward's summated heart rate zones model (SHRZ) and, the Banister's training impulse (TRIMPB). The external load was determined through: 1) total accelerations (TA); the sum of all accelerations and decelerations; 2) maximal accelerations and decelerations (TAMax); 3) total accelerations per minutes (TA·min−1); 4) accelerations per minute (Acc·min−1); and 5) decelerations per minute (Dec·min−1). Heart rate-based and accelerometry models were assessed via Polar Pro technology. Results Correlations between variables revealed different magnitudes. SHRZ model showed a positive correlation with TA (0.63); the TRIMPB model showed a high degree of correlation with TA (0.78); the sRPE model also presented a high correlation with TA (0.62). Conclusion Our study establishes different levels of association between external and internal load models in elite female youth basketball players. However, we cannot assume that a high relationship between internal and external loads exists, as both models should be considered as different constructs.

EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF HAND ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS, GRIP STRENGTH AND BALANCE SKILLS ON SHOT PERFORMANCE IN ELITE FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

This study aims to examine the effects of elite female basketball players’ hand anthropometric measurements, hand-grip strength and balance skills on their shooting performance. The age, height, weight, body mass index and hand anthropometric values, hand-grip strength and balance of the athletes were measured, and Aahperd shot tests were applied. Data analysis was performed through SPSS 24 package program. Data analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk Test applied to determine whether there is a normal distribution, and Pearson correlation analysis used to evaluate the correlation status of the parameters with the normal distribution of the data. The average age of the 12 female athletes participating in the study was 21.83 ± 4.407 years, the average height was 171.50 ± 6.95 cm, the average body weight was 68.60 ± 17.96 kg and the mean Body Mass Index was 23.99 ± 4.72. has been determined. It was determined that the average right hand grip strength of 12 female athletes participating in the study was 35.92 ± 6.127 kg and the average left hand grip strength was 32.92 ± 5.807 kg. Among the balance parameters, the balance mean deviation value was determined as 07 ±, 048, the balance average speed value as 42 ± 119, the balance path length value as 12.19 ± 3.473 and the balance area value as 02 ±. The Aahperd shot test mean value was also determined to be 18.67 ± 2.425. The analyses regarding the hand anthropometrics parameter of the 12 athletes indicate that there is no significant correlation between shot performance and hand length, width, palm length, third finger length, hand shape index, finger index and hand surface area. Besides, it is determined that there is no significant correlation between the hand grip strength and balance test results and shooting performance. The data revealed that the dominant hand measurements, test values and shooting performance of the athletes are not significantly correlated.&#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0770/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;