Normative study of anthropometric characteristics and biomotor abilities of young basketball players according to positions

Having athletic performance components such as anthropometric and biomotor abilities in basketball is a prerequisite for individual and team success in the league and tournaments. Branch-specific anthropometric and biomotor abilities are known to be an important factor affecting performance. In order to prepare a correct training program for the team and the athlete to effectively reach the determined goals, normative data is needed. Based on this, it is aimed to guide clubs and coaches in the selection of athletes by classifying the athletes playing basketball and to contribute to the studies to be carried out in this regard. In line with this goal, the normative study of 265 athletes playing in the Basketball Youth League (BGL), Turkish Basketball League U-18 (TBL U-18), Turkish Basketball 2nd League (TB2L U-18) and Turkish Basketball Regional League U-18 (TBBL U-18) leagues between the ages of 17-19 throughout Turkey was conducted between February 2024-May 2024 and January 2025-February 2025. Height, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index, stroke reach length, horizontal stroke length, lower extremity length, sitting height length, span length, 10 meter sprint, 20 meter sprint, lineagilitydrill, Y-balance, flamingo balance test, shuttlerun, repeated sprint, sit reach, hand grip strength, leg strength, squat, sit-up, push-up test and measurements were made to the athletes in the research group and were categorized according to positions and leagues and examined. The evaluation was carried out by presenting the mean, standard deviation and percentage values of the variables. As a result of the research, the normative values of the basketball players varied according to their positions. According to the leagues, significant differences were found in height, stroke reach length, horizontal stroke, sitting height, lower extremity, span length, body weight, body mass index, 10-meter sprint, 20-meter sprint, line agility drill, Y-balance, shutt lerun, repeated sprint, sit-and-reach, vertical jump, hand grip strength, leg strength, squat, sit-up and push-up values (p<.05); however, no significant differences were found in body fat percentage and flamingo balance test values (p>.05). Keywords: Basketball, biomotor, anthropometric, norm, athletic performance.