title: Role of maturity timing in selection procedures and in the specialisation of playing positions in youth basketball.
abstract: This study investigated the role of maturity timing in selection procedures and in the specialisation of playing positions in youth male basketball. Forty-three talented Dutch players (14.66 ± 1.09 years) participated in this study. Maturity timing (age at peak height velocity), anthropometric, physiological, and technical characteristics were measured. Maturity timing and height of the basketball players were compared with a matched Dutch population. One-sample t-tests showed that basketball players were taller and experienced their peak height velocity at an earlier age compared to their peers, which indicates the relation between maturity timing and selection procedures. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that guards experienced their peak height velocity at a later age compared to forwards and centres (P < .01). In addition, positional differences were found for height, sitting height, leg length, body mass, lean body mass, sprint, lower body explosive strength, and dribble (P < .05). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) (age and age at peak height velocity as covariate) showed only a significant difference regarding the technical characteristic dribbling (P < .05). Coaches and trainers should be aware of the inter-individual differences between boys related to their maturity timing. Since technical characteristics appeared to be least influenced by maturity timing, it is recommended to focus more on technical characteristics rather than anthropometric and physiological characteristics.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Human Movement Sciences , University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanne Cornelia Maria
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: te Wierike
authors.forename: Marije Titia
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Elferink-Gemser
authors.forename: Eveline Jenny Yvonne
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Tromp
authors.forename: Roel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vaeyens
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Visscher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001490:Basketball / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009426:Netherlands; D012741:Sexual Maturation
keywords: development; position; selection; talent identification