Selection-dependent differences in youth elite basketball players’ relative age, maturation-related characteristics, and motor performance

Daniel Leyhr, David Rosch, Sean Cumming, Oliver Hohner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of players’ relative age, maturation-related characteristics, and motor performance tests on two different stages of talent selection (regional and national level) in youth elite basketball. Methods: Relative age, maturation-related variables (height, weight, maturity offset, maturity timing) and motor performance (Countermovement jump, Standing long jump, Modified agility T-test, Linear sprint 20 m) of N = 68 male youth basketball players (M age = 14.39 ± 0.28 years) were assessed during the initial selection tournament for the German U15 national team. Pre-selection biases regarding relative age and maturity timing on the regional level were investigated utilizing one-sample t-tests. Differences in relative age, maturation-related characteristics and motor performance between players selected (n = 27) and non-selected (n = 41) for the youth national team were examined via independent samples’ t-tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Strong pre-selection biases toward early-born and early-maturing players were confirmed on the regional level. Significant advantages in height and weight and higher values in maturity offset and maturity timing were found for selected players. Among the motor variables, only Countermovement jump performance was significantly better in selected players. When controlling for relative age and biological maturation regression models including motor performance variables did not significantly discriminate players’ selection status. Conclusion: Coaches working in national, but also preceding selection stages (regional and club level) should raise their awareness to relative age and biological maturation when evaluating players’ potential and current (motor) performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)775-788
Number of pages14
JournalResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
Volume95
Issue number3
Early online date13 Feb 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 13 Feb 2024

Data Availability Statement

A de-identified version of the raw data supporting the findings of this study will be made available by the authors upon reasonable request.

Keywords

  • Biological maturation
  • diagnostics
  • somatic age
  • talent predictors
  • team sports

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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