Percentile Values of Specific Physical Performances in Tunisian Basketball Players Aged 9 to 21: Considering Maturity Status

Background: Success in basketball is influenced by various factors, including biological maturation. Peak height velocity (PHV) is a key indicator of maturation, playing an important role in assessing the performance of basketball players. This study aimed to analyze the effects of maturational status, chronological age, and gender on anthropometric characteristics and physical performance parameters in Tunisian basketball players and to establish local percentile reference values for physical performance. Methods: A total of 470 basketball players (240 males and 230 females) were categorized into three maturity status groups: pre-PHV (n = 111), circa-PHV (n = 170), and post-PHV (n = 189). Anthropometric and physical fitness parameters were assessed to provide percentile reference values. Results: Our findings revealed significantly higher anthropometric and physical performance values in the post-PHV athletes compared to those in the pre- and circa-PHV groups. Additionally, male athletes outperformed females in most measured variables. Basketball-specific skills appeared to be more dependent on chronological age than on pubertal status. Conclusions: Percentile values were established for both boys and girls, offering valuable references for trainers to quantify and individualize training programs. These findings may assist practitioners in identifying potentially talented basketball players based on their maturation status.