Correlation between Selected Anthropometric Variables with Playing Ability among College Level Male Basketball Players

The purpose of the study was to correlate the playing ability in basketball from selected anthropometrical variables among college level male basketball players. To achieve the purpose two hundred and seventy nine Basketball players were randomly selected from various colleges in Tamilnadu state, India and their age ranged from 18 to 25 years. The subjects had past playing experience of at least three years in basketball and only those who represented their respective college teams were taken as subjects. As the performance is concerned, the anthropometrical variables play a vital role in overall performance. The researcher reviewed number of various journals, books, e-resources, unpublished theses, dissertations and coaching manuals in which they found that the standard skills of basketball may have relationship with selected anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables. Based on these observations, the investigator selected the following independent variables for this study. The Anthropometrical variables namely – Standing Height, Arm Length, Hand Length, Palm Length, Leg Length, Thigh Girth, Calf Girth, Arm Girth Relaxed Arm Girth Flexed. The playing ability is the dependant variable. It was taken as the performance factor, which was subjectively assessed by three qualified basketball coaches. The inter - relationship among the selected anthropometrical variables and basketball playing ability, were computed by using Pearson’ product-moment correlation coefficients. The results revealed that an Inter – relationship exists significantly between the anthropometrical, physical and physiological variables among male inter - collegiate basketball players.