Next Article in Journal
Physical Education-Based Stretching During Warm-Up, Cool-Down, or Both on Back-Saver Sit-and-Reach Scores in Schoolchildren
Previous Article in Journal
Kinetics of Serum Myoglobin and Creatine Kinase Related to Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage and ACTN3 Polymorphism in Military Paratroopers Under Intense Exercise
Previous Article in Special Issue
Evaluating Differential Basic Resistive Skills Training Effects on Sprint, Jump, and Agility in Young Basketball Athletes
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Physical Fitness Profiling of Youth Basketball Players by Developmental Stage: A Case Study

1
Grupo de Optimización del Entrenamiento y Rendimiento Deportivo (GOERD), Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, 10002 Cáceres, Spain
2
University CEU Fernando III, CEU Universities, 41930 Sevilla, Spain
3
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Isabel I, 09003 Burgos, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040382
Submission received: 24 July 2025 / Revised: 26 September 2025 / Accepted: 27 September 2025 / Published: 2 October 2025

Abstract

Background: Basketball is characterized as a high-intensity, intermittent sport that places considerable demands on the cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, and mechanical systems. These physiological requirements are modulated by contextual variables and the athlete’s stage of biological maturation, both of which significantly influence physical fitness outcomes. Consequently, it is imperative to employ age- and development-specific assessment protocols. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in physical fitness across competitive categories and to explore the interrelationships among the various physical assessment tests. Twenty-four male players (U14 = 12; U16 = 12) participated in this research. Methods: Athletes were monitored using WIMUPRO inertial measurement units and completed the SBAFIT test battery to evaluate physical fitness parameters. Statistical analyses included both inferential and correlational approaches, with effect sizes calculated for all relevant variables. The independent variable was the competitive age category of the players. Results: The results indicated notable differences in physical performance between developmental groups, primarily attributed to biological maturation. Significant disparities were observed in measures of aerobic capacity, linear speed, agility, and centripetal force. Conclusions: The comparative nature of this study across developmental categories offers novel insights and practical implications for talent development and training optimization.
Keywords: youth competitive basketball; physiological fitness profiling; SBAFIT battery protocol; athletic performance evaluation; developmental age categories; biological maturation youth competitive basketball; physiological fitness profiling; SBAFIT battery protocol; athletic performance evaluation; developmental age categories; biological maturation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Calle, O.; Mancha-Triguero, D.; Recio, E.; Ibáñez, S.J. Physical Fitness Profiling of Youth Basketball Players by Developmental Stage: A Case Study. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10, 382. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040382

AMA Style

Calle O, Mancha-Triguero D, Recio E, Ibáñez SJ. Physical Fitness Profiling of Youth Basketball Players by Developmental Stage: A Case Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2025; 10(4):382. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040382

Chicago/Turabian Style

Calle, Olga, David Mancha-Triguero, Eduardo Recio, and Sergio J. Ibáñez. 2025. "Physical Fitness Profiling of Youth Basketball Players by Developmental Stage: A Case Study" Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 10, no. 4: 382. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040382

APA Style

Calle, O., Mancha-Triguero, D., Recio, E., & Ibáñez, S. J. (2025). Physical Fitness Profiling of Youth Basketball Players by Developmental Stage: A Case Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(4), 382. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040382

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop