Body composition characteristics of elite male basketball players

Abstract

Understanding the components of the physique and body of basketball players is important for better monitoring of training and diet programs. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the body composition characteristics of elite European basketball players. Sixty-four players of the Greek National Teams participated in this study. The players were divided into three age groups: juniors (n=6), under 22 (n=30) and men (n= 18). The percentage body fat and fat free mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance. Two-way analysis of variance was used to determine the interaction of age group and player position with respect to percentage body fat, fat free mass and body mass index. The percentage body fat was 11.7%. The percentage body fat of juniors (11.1 %) and under-22 (10.9%) team was significantly lower as compared to men (13.5%). Guards had significantly lower percentage body fat (10.5%) compared to centres (13.1 %). These results can assist in the development of a normative database on body composition characteristics of basketball players as the players move from the juniors to the professional men's level and among different player positions.