In many sports, including basketball, aspects of player physique (height, weight, lean mass and body fat levels) can influence performance. One of the goals of an athlete’s training programme and diet is to gradually achieve the physique that will optimise their performance. This is, however, a long-term goal that is achieved over many years of maturation and conditioning.

Adolescence is a time of growth and change in body composition which includes a differential increase in muscle mass in males and fat mass in females. It is also a time of social and emotional change which can see the player develop body image concerns that are unrelated to their sporting activities, and particularly in the case of females, may cause unhelpful “dieting” behaviours.

It is important to support young players during this period so that they can take ownership of sound eating practices that will support their athletic goals as well as long-term health. In some cases, players will need to engage special strategies to assist with increasing energy intake to support growth, or to reduce unnecessary energy intake to assist with sensible weight control or to adjust to a period of reduced training (e.g. injury or a break).

Strategies to Support healthy attitudes to physique

Encourage athletes to feel comfortable about their physical changes during adolescence
Avoid or prevent practices that place unnecessary focus on normal physical changes, particularly when it is unconnected to performance (e.g. recording player weights in a punitive way)
Be sensitive to situations where players may feel uncomfortable in minimal/ tight clothing (e.g. wearing lycra suits or playing “skins/shirts” drill).
Be aware of problems of restrictive dieting or unhealthy fat gain and assist the player to seek professional help at an early stage

Eating Strategies to assist with a high energy intake

Eating strategies to assist with a reduced energy intake

Plan a series of wholesome meals and snacks over the day to allow regular intake of energy and protein - don’t mistake the need for extra energy as permission to overeat “junk foods”
Be organised to have portable snacks and meals that can travel in a busy lifestyle
Make the most of compact nutrient-packed drinks that are simple to consume: fruit smoothies, milkshakes, juice, liquid meals
Don’t overdo high fibre or bulky food choices – when appetite or stomach space seems limited, let vegetables, salads and wholegrain choices accompany the meal rather than cause over-filling
Keep a record every once in a while to see how well the eating plan is being achieved or to identify times where meals/snacks are skipped

Plan a series of filling meals and snacks over the day to allow regular intake of energy and protein and to avoid hunger or fatigue spots
Don’t skip meals or over-restrict intake - hunger is likely to lead to over-eating
Minimise the intake of energy-containing drinks so that most of the day’s energy intake needs to be chewed and consumed more slowly
Make meals and snacks filling by adding plenty of fresh salads and vegetables or watery fruits (e.g. berries and melons), and by choosing wholegrain forms of cereal foods. Note that protein added to these eating occasions also helps to make the meal more satisfying
Keep a record every once in a while to see how well the eating plan is being achieved or to identify times where problem behaviours are occurring (e.g. boredom eating, overeating)