title: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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).
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Performance, Physical Exercise and Health, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. jesus.ponce.gonzalez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jesús Gustavo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ponce-González
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Performance, Physical Exercise and Health, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. jesus.ponce.gonzalez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olmedillas
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sports. Faculty of Sport Sciences. University of the Basque Country, Spain.. jesus.ponce.gonzalez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calleja-González
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Performance, Physical Exercise and Health, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. jesus.ponce.gonzalez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Borja
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Performance, Physical Exercise and Health, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. jesus.ponce.gonzalez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchis-Moysi
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D001490:Basketball / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013030:Spain; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone