Effect of Intellectual Impairment on Basketball Game-Related Statistics

The purpose of this study was to analyze the infl uence of intellectual impairment (II) on game-related statistics which best contribute to success in basketball. Offi cial game-related statistics were gathered from 6 male teams (n = 63 players) during the 13 games played in the World II-Basketball Championships (Ankara 2013). Variables were normalized to 100 ball possessions and descriptive statistics were calculated. To identify which variables contributed best to success, a discriminant analysis was performed. The obtained structural coeffi cients (SC) from this analysis indicated 2-pt successful │SC = –0.65│, assists │SC = –0.61│, steals │SC = –0.41│ and offensive rebounds │SC = –0.32│ as variables which best contributed to success. Results were compared with previous studies in able-bodied (AB) basketball. Assists and 2-point successful were discriminant variables to success in II and AB-competitions; however, defensive rebounds discriminated in many AB but not in II-competitions. In addition, steals and offensive rebounds were only discriminant in II-competitions. Relevancy of assists refl ected the importance of teamwork in both AB and II-competitions; however, the lower shooting effi ciency of II-players suggests possible limitations on decision making capacity or offensive tactics. Consequently, second opportunities to score (offensive rebounds) and scoring under low defensive pressure (fast-break after a steal); seem to take relevance to increase 2-point successful in II-players. These fi ndings confi rm the negative infl uence of II on basketball game-related statistics. This is a fi rst step needed to develop evidence-based eligibility systems for this sport according to the position of the International Paralympic Committee regarding classifi cation.