TY - JOUR
T1 - Somatotype and size of elite female basketball players
AU - Ackland, Tim
AU - Stapff, B.
AU - Carter, J.E.L.
AU - Kerr, D.A.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - The aim of this study was to compare the somatotype and size of elite female basketball players in terms of playing position and team performance. Anthropometry and somatotype data were collected on 168 players from 14 countries before the Women's World Basketball Championship, Australia, 1994. There were 64 guards (mean +/- s: age 25.4 +/- 3.3 years, height 1.72 +/- 0.06 in, mass 66.1 +/- 6.2 kg, somatotype = 2.9 - 3.9 - 2.6), 57 forwards (age 25.2 +/- 3.8 years, height 1.81 +/- 0.06 in, mass 73.3 +/- 5.9 kg, somatotype = 2.8 - 3.5 - 3.2) and 47 centres (age 24.1 +/- 3.1 years, height 1.90 +/- 0.06 m, mass 82.6 +/- 8.2 kg, somatotype = 3.2 - 3.1 - 3.4). Mean somatotypes by position were significantly different (F= 7.73, P < 0.01). Guards had greater mesomorphy than centres and less ectomorphy than forwards and centres. When discriminant function analysis was applied to endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy, age, height and mass, only height, mass and ectomorphy entered (Wilks' lambda = 0.351, F = 31.40, P < 0.000), 70% of the variance was accounted for, and 72% of players were correctly classified. In the four top versus four bottom teams, guards were taller and more ectomorphic, forwards were taller, with lower mesomorphy and higher ectomorphy, and centres did not differ. Thus there are some differences in somatotypes by position and team placing, but the combination of height, mass and ectomorphy provide the best differentiation by position.
AB - The aim of this study was to compare the somatotype and size of elite female basketball players in terms of playing position and team performance. Anthropometry and somatotype data were collected on 168 players from 14 countries before the Women's World Basketball Championship, Australia, 1994. There were 64 guards (mean +/- s: age 25.4 +/- 3.3 years, height 1.72 +/- 0.06 in, mass 66.1 +/- 6.2 kg, somatotype = 2.9 - 3.9 - 2.6), 57 forwards (age 25.2 +/- 3.8 years, height 1.81 +/- 0.06 in, mass 73.3 +/- 5.9 kg, somatotype = 2.8 - 3.5 - 3.2) and 47 centres (age 24.1 +/- 3.1 years, height 1.90 +/- 0.06 m, mass 82.6 +/- 8.2 kg, somatotype = 3.2 - 3.1 - 3.4). Mean somatotypes by position were significantly different (F= 7.73, P < 0.01). Guards had greater mesomorphy than centres and less ectomorphy than forwards and centres. When discriminant function analysis was applied to endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy, age, height and mass, only height, mass and ectomorphy entered (Wilks' lambda = 0.351, F = 31.40, P < 0.000), 70% of the variance was accounted for, and 72% of players were correctly classified. In the four top versus four bottom teams, guards were taller and more ectomorphic, forwards were taller, with lower mesomorphy and higher ectomorphy, and centres did not differ. Thus there are some differences in somatotypes by position and team placing, but the combination of height, mass and ectomorphy provide the best differentiation by position.
U2 - 10.1080/02640410400023233
DO - 10.1080/02640410400023233
M3 - Article
VL - 23
SP - 1057
EP - 1063
JO - Journal of Sports Science
JF - Journal of Sports Science
SN - 0264-0414
IS - 10
ER -