The difference between male and female countermovement jump performance in junior basketball players

The countermovement jump is an important test for basketball athletes, and this study aims to determine the differences in countermovement jump performance between male and female athletes. A total of 24 elite youth athletes (12 males: 17.8 ± 0.8 years, height 187.4 ± 8.7 cm, weight 79.9 ± 15.1 kg, BMI 22.6 ± 3.1 kg/m², PBF 9.6 ± 3.3%; and 12 females: 16.8 ± 0.8 years, height 172.8 ± 4.6 cm, weight 63.4 ± 7.9 kg, BMI 21.2 ± 2.2 kg/m², PBF 20.2 ± 5.1%) were selected through the elite athlete process selection  and participated in a countermovement jump test using a force plate. Mean values for men at flight time 577.8 ± 31.7 m/s, jump height 41.1 ± 4.5 cm, peak power 4644.0 ± 839.0 W while for women 455.2 ± 26.0 m/s, jump height 25.5 ± 2.9 cm, peak power 2749.0 ± 298 W. All these tests have a significant correlation. All of these tests have a significant correlation in the results of the difference in the performance of the countermovement jump test (sig. <0.05) and the results of the correlation between Percent body fat (PBF) and Countermovement jump (CMJ) show a significance of <0.05, while BMI and CMJ also show a correlation of <0.05, except for the flight time variable. Measuring jump height and flight time is essential for monitoring fatigue and enhancing performance in young basketball players. These benchmarks help athletes and coaches strive for elite-level performance based on gender.