Table 13.

Recommended tests and outcome variables to assess the physical characteristics of adult male basketball players

Characteristic	Test	Outcome variable	Technical note	Citation count
Anthropometry	Height (cm)		Measuring anthropometry at the beginning of the testing battery is recommended while players are in a rested state	114
	Body mass (kg)			114
	Wingspan (cm)			3
Body composition	Eight-site skinfolds	Sum of eight skinfolds (mm)	High inter-tester variability exists. To gather reliable results, an experienced tester should conduct this test. Preferably, the same practitioner is recommended to administer this test on different occasions. An estimation equation specific to the population is recommended. Sites used should be reported and used consistently	2
Muscular power	Countermovement jump	Jump height (cm) Mean concentric relative power (W/kg)	To reduce error introduced with movement strategies, it is recommended that height is calculated using impulse from a force platform. Relative mean power can be used as an auxiliary to support interpretation of jump data	46
	Vertical jump	Jump height (cm) Mean concentric relative power (W/kg)	See above	33
	Squat jump	Jump height (cm) Mean concentric relative power (W/kg)	Must carefully monitor force–time output to ensure no preparatory countermovement is used. Squat jump height can be coupled with countermovement jump height to support monitoring and prescription through calculation of the ‘eccentric utilisation ratio’	19
Linear speed	20-m sprint	Time intervals (s) Momentum (kg⋅m/s)	Performance time measured at 5-m, 10-m and 20-m intervals. Acceleration over each interval should be calculated. Starting position must be standardised (e.g. 50 cm from first interval)	20
Change-of-direction speed	Modified agility T-test	Time (s)	Total distance covered is 20 m, with no more than 5 m covered before requiring a change of direction. Player must remain facing forwards for the duration of the test	1
Strength	1–3RM Back squat	Absolute load (kg) Relative strength Load-velocity profile	Players must be competent with technique to safely implement test. Squat depth must be standardised. Additionally, during sub-maximal efforts, a linear position transducer should be used to develop individualised load-velocity profiles. Dependent upon athlete technical proficiency, an isometric mid-thigh pull may be an alternate or supplementary test	8
	1–3RM Bench press	Absolute load (kg) Relative strength Load-velocity profile	Players must be competent with the technique to safely implement test. Bench press range of motion must be standardised. Load-velocity profiles should be developed from sub-maximal loads using a linear position transducer	14
Aerobic capacity	Yo-Yo IRL1	Finishing level Estimated VO2max (mL/kg/min)	Yo-Yo IRL1 must be completed on the same flooring (e.g. court) and in similar environmental conditions (e.g. consistent temperature)	12

RM repetition maximum, VO_2max maximum oxygen uptake, Yo-Yo IRL1 Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1