Basketball Ability Testing in Adults With Intellectual Disability

The purpose of this article was to verify (a) whether a basketball test battery could classify players with an intellectual disability and with low basketball skill level, (b) basketball abilities before and after an 8-mth training in players with intellectual disability in relation to low and moderate level skill players, and (c) variation of specific basketball abilities based on level of intellectual disability. Forty-one male basketball players with intellectual disabilities (17 moderate skill and 24 low skill; intellectual disability: 15% mild, 54% moderate, 29% severe, 2% profound) were assessed before and after training with a basketball test battery. The battery assessed four ability levels. Each level increased in difficulty and was characterized by fundamental skills (ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting). Moderate skilled players significantly improved in level III, in ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting scores. Low skilled players improved significantly in level II, in ball handling, reception, and passing scores. Ability levels were negatively correlated to level of intellectual disability. The authors found the basketball test battery to be useful for improving and monitoring training in both low and moderate skill players.