Background: Although adolescent basketballers differ in body size, shape, and composition, less is known about how these factors interact during physical development.
Aim: We used ontogenetic allometry to identify the optimal body size and shape characteristics associated with physical performance in adolescent basketball players, and investigated the effects of training experience, training volume, maturity status, and club characteristics on physical performance development.
Subjects and methods: Two hundred and sixty-four male basketballers, from five age-cohorts (11-15 years of age), were followed consecutively over three years. Three physical performance components, anthropometrics, training information, and biological maturation were assessed bi-annually. Longitudinal multiplicative allometric models were developed.
Results: Players with a physique that had a dominant ectomorphic component performed better in all physical performance components. When adjusting for confounders other than size, the development of running speed was independent of body size. Players advanced in maturation were physically fitter. Training data had no significant effect on developmental trajectories of running speed or lower body explosive strength. Club characteristics had no significant association with any physical performance trajectories.
Conclusion: Leaner players have advantages in physical performance and individual characteristics play an important role, over and beyond club structure, in developing physical performance.
Keywords: Allometry; development; physical performance; sport; young players.