Author(s): KASAI, T., KOKUDO, S.1, NAKAZAWA, S.2, SANO, T.1, FUKUDA, T.2, NARIAI, M.3, MINO, H.4, OGURA, A.4, NAKATA, Y.2, Institution: CHUKYO UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 2526

INTRODUCTION:
Basketball is characterized by high-intensity, multidirectional movements, in which acceleration, deceleration, and change-of-direction (COD) ability represent key components of performance. The lane agility test (LAT) is widely used as a representative field-based assessment of COD ability; however, many previous studies have primarily focused on total time, and segment-specific performance characteristics have not been sufficiently examined. Therefore, segmental LAT analysis may provide insight into movement structure and performance strategies. Accordingly, this study aimed to descriptively characterize segment-specific performance during the LAT in U15 male basketball players.
METHODS:
Twenty-seven of 50 male U15 basketball players (54.0%) from a single Japanese national-level basketball club participated in this study. In January 2026, anthropometric measurements, physical function assessments, and field-based tests were conducted. Measured variables were body height, body mass, sitting height, leg length, and arm span. Biological maturity status was estimated using maturity offset (MO) calculated from a prediction equation developed for Japanese youth populations (Murayama et al., 2023). The LAT was performed on a FIBA-standard basketball court. Five sets of photocells (WITTY, Microgate, Italy) were installed based on procedures adapted from the NBA Draft Combine Test. In addition to total time, lap times across eight segments (L1–L8) were recorded. Players completed the prescribed movement sequence consisting of forward sprinting, lateral slide steps, backpedaling, and COD actions. Two trials were performed, and the fastest total time was retained. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum) were calculated by age group (U13–U15) and MO classification.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 14.13 ± 0.75 years, and the mean MO was 1.84 ± 0.86 years (minimum: 0.15). All players were classified as post–Age at peak height velocity (APHV). MO classification identified 7.4% (n = 2) as MO ≤ 1.0 years, 55.6% (n = 15) as 1.0 < MO < 2.0 years, and 37.0% (n = 10) as MO ≥ 2.0 years. Mean LAT total times were 13.64 ± 0.84 s (U13), 12.85 ± 0.61 s (U14), and 13.10 ± 0.71 s (U15). By MO classification, total times were 13.18 ± 0.84 s, 13.33 ± 1.05 s, and 13.90 ± 0.40 s, respectively. Overall mean segment times (s) were 1.63 ± 0.13 (L1), 1.45 ± 0.11 (L2), 1.93 ± 0.13 (L3), 1.45 ± 0.13 (L4), 1.87 ± 0.16 (L5), 1.50 ± 0.12 (L6), 1.56 ± 0.13 (L7), and 1.89 ± 0.17 (L8).
CONCLUSION:
Segment-specific LAT performance characteristics were described among national-level Japanese U15 male basketball players. Although the participants were a relatively mature group, no consistent differences in performance were observed across MO classifications. Future longitudinal studies examining intra-individual variability and associations with observation-based maturity indicators are warranted.
Reference:
Murayama R, Kigoshi K, Sugiura K. Int J Sport Health Sci. 2023;21:1–8.