Identification of Specific Selection Criteria in Young Ball Sport Players

Abstract Background: The purpose of our study was to analyze body composition and spiroergometric data of young (14-15 years) elite level ball sport players. We suggested that three-ball sports (handball, soccer, and basketball) share common performance indicators, as each ball sport is primarily characterized by rapid intermittent movements. Methods: We selected one-hundred and ten, handball (n=30), basketball (n=40) and soccer (n=40) players male and female from local clubs in Hungary. To measure their performance to develop high-quality training programs adequately age was differing from 14 to 15, they represented the elite level of their sports. They participated in performance analysis, the protocol included a body composition analysis and spiroergometric tests. We measured body composition and physiological parameters utilizing an In Body 720 device, and a standard Bruce treadmill protocol. Although we were aware of the limitations of the Bruce protocol in elite athletes, we choose this protocol as a safer alternative for younger inexperienced athletes. Results and conclusions: We concluded that in young male soccer and basketball players mean peak /load (W), peak/VE (l), peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), peak/VCO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml) data is a reliable indicator of the sport-specific performance. We may also suggest, that in our population of male basketball and handball players peak/Vtex (l) is the only variable, which is significantly different. Between groups of male handball and soccer players, peak/VO2/kg (ml/min) may be a valid performance indicator too. Among female basketball and handball players we found a significant difference in three performance variables: peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min) and peak/ O2 pulse (ml). Although we must be careful when interpreting results, prior experiences with exercise testing, biological maturation differences must be considered. Trial registration: All examinations involving human subjects were approved by the Hungarian Ethical Committee ETT TUKEB:15117-4/2018/EÜIG.