Basketball ability testing and category for players with mental retardation: 8-month training effect

Although sport for athletes with Mental Retardation (MR) is achieving an important role, literature concerning basketball test and training is still poor. The aims of this study were to verify whether the basketball test battery could be an appropriate modality to classify the players in Promotion category (Pro); to assess basketball abilities before (PRE) and after
(POST) a 8-months training in players with MR in relation to Competitive (Comp) and Pro
categories; to analyse the variation of specific basketball abilities by subjects’ MR diagnosis.
Forty-one basketball male players with MR (17 Comp and 24 Pro; age range 18-45 years;
MR: 15% Mild, 54% Moderate, 29% Severe and 2% Profound) were assessed PRE and
POST training through the basketball test battery, assessing 4 ability levels of increasing difficulty (from I to IV), each one characterized by the analysis of fundamental areas (ball
handling, reception, passing and shooting). Level I was significantly changed after the intervention period regardless the Category, while shooting was affected by the interaction between Category and Intervention. The results showed significant differences between categories in score of individual global, level I, level II, level III, and in all fundamental areas. Individual global score in both categories significantly increased. Players of Comp
significantly improved in level III, in ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting scores. Players of Pro improved significantly in level II, in ball handling, reception, and passing scores. Individual global, ability level I, II and III, and fundamental area scores were negatively correlated to MR level indicating that players with lower MR obtained higher ability scores. In conclusion, the basketball test battery could be useful for improving and monitoring training both in Comp and Pro players.