Comparison of Antropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Korean Female Professional Basketball Players by Class and Playing Position

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to compare anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics of Korean female professional basketball players in different classes (starter and non-starter) and playing positions. METHODS Twenty-four female professional basketball players (12 starter vs. 12 non-starter) participated in this study voluntarily. For each player, anthropometric measurements were performed, as well as a sargent jump (SJ), isokinetic leg strength, side step, and graded exercise tests (GXT). RESULTS Starters’ fat mass (p<.05), %fat (p<.05) and HRmax (p<.001) were significantly lower than those of non-starters’, whereas Starters’ sargent jump was significantly higher than those of non-starters’ (p<.05). However, there was no significant differences in relative left and right leg flexor and extensor strength at 60˚/sec and 180˚/sec among playing positions. According to the correlation analysis, %fat and HRmax were negatively correlated and lean body mass was positively correlated with the SJ. The side step had a negative correlation with BMI, but a positive correlation with VO2max, while VO2max was negatively correlated with fat mass, %fat and HRmax. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study indicated that physical performance of female professional basketball players differed between starters and non-starters, whereas there were no significant differences among guards, forwards and centers. According to the present study, in order to improve the competitiveness of female professional basketball players, body composition management is required to reduce body fat mass, % fat, and BMI, as well as muscle strength strengthening and cardiopulmonary endurance training programs also demand.

Keywords

• female
• professional basketball
• anthropometric
• fitness
• position