Saša Jakovljević

Speed and Agility of 12- and 14-year-old Elite Male Basketball Players

Abstract Jakovljevic, ST, Karalejic, MS, Pajic, ZB, Macura, MM, and Erculj, FF. Speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 26(9): 2453–2459, 2012—The aims of this study were (a) to identify and compare the speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players and (b) to investigate relations between speed and agility for both age groups of basketball players, to help coaches to improve their work. Sixty-four players aged 12 (M = 11.98 years, SD = 0.311) and 54 players aged 14 (M = 14.092 years, SD = 0.275) were tested. Three agility tests: agility t-test, zigzag agility drill, and agility run 4 × 15 m and 3 speed tests: 20-m run, 30-m run, and 50-m run were applied. Fourteen-year-old players achieved significantly better results in all speed and agility tests compared with 12-year-old players. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.81, p = 0.001) showed that 12-year-old players have the same ability in the 30- and 50-m runs. The other correlation coefficient (r = 0.59, p = 0.001) indicated that 20- and 30-m runs had inherently different qualities. The correlation coefficients between agility tests were <0.71, and therefore, each test in this group represents a specific task. In 14-year-old players, the correlation coefficients between the speed test results were <0.71. In contrast, the correlation coefficients between the agility tests were >0.71, which means that all the 3 tests represent the same quality. During the speed training of 12-year-old players, it is advisable to focus on shorter running distances, up to 30 m. During the agility training of the same players, it is useful to apply exercises with various complexities. In speed training of the 14-year-old players, the 30- and 50-m runs should be applied, and agility training should include more specific basketball movements and activities.

Effects of countermovement depth on kinematic and kinetic patterns of maximum vertical jumps

Although maximum height (H(max)), muscle force (F), and power output (P), have been routinely obtained from maximum vertical jumps for various purposes, a possible role of the countermovement depth (H(cmd)) on the same variables remains largely unexplored. Here we hypothesized that (1) the optimum H(cmd) for maximizing H(max) exists, while (2) an increase in H(cmd) would be associated with a decrease in both F and P. Professional male basketball players (N=11) preformed maximum countermovement jumps with and without arm swing while varying H(cmd)±25 cm from its preferred value. Although regression models revealed a presence of optimum H(cmd) for maximizing H(max), H(max) revealed only small changes within a wide range of H(cmd). The preferred H(cmd) was markedly below its optimum value (p < .05). However, both F and P sharply decreased with H(cmd), while F also revealed a minimum for H(cmd) close to its highest values. Therefore, we conclude that although the optimum H(cmd) should exists, the magnitude of its effect on H(max) should be only minimal within a typical H(cmd) range. Conversely, F and P of leg muscles assessed through maximum vertical jumps should be taken with caution since both of them could be markedly confounded by H(cmd).

Graded shuttle run performance by playing positions in elite female basketball

Abstract Štrumbelj, B, Vučković, G, Jakovljević, S, Milanović, Z, James, N, and Erčulj, F. Graded shuttle run performance by playing positions in elite female basketball. J Strength Cond Res 29(3): 793–799, 2015—A graded shuttle run test was used to assess differences in physiological parameters between playing positions in elite female basketball players. Twenty-four female basketball players (8 guards, 8 forwards, and 8 centers) who played for the senior national teams of Slovenia and Serbia were tested with the 30-15 intermittent fitness test. During the shuttle run, the following physiological parameters were measured: oxygen consumption ( ), carbon dioxide production ( ), pulmonary ventilation (VE) breath by breath, respiratory quotient, oxygen pulse as the vs. HR ratio and [LA−]. No significant differences were found for any of the measures between the 3 playing positions. Although this finding was surprising, future studies should try to determine whether the tactics used in female basketball determine that the interpositional differences seen in male basketball are not evident.

Determination of the optimal certain kinematic parameters in basketball three-point shooting using the 94Fifty technology

With the help of the 94Fifty technology we were able to analyze the three-point shot. We were curious to know whether the majority of the shots are recommended by the manufacturer of the measuring system and carried out in preplanned intervals of entry angles, the rotation of the ball, and the release time of the ball, and we wished to find out the consistency of the aforementioned parameters between the guards and other players. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 52 great male basketball players, aged 18 and 19. We deducted that most of the shots from the distance of 6.75 m occur under a entry angle greater than 42°, but not in the estimated interval (between 42° and 48°); that most of the shots do not occur in the estimated interval of the rotation of the ball (from 130 to 150 revolutions/minute); and that most of the shots do not occur in the estimated interval of the release time (< 0.7 seconds). When it comes to the consistency of the before mentioned parameters we did not find any discrepancies between the guards and other players. Based on the results a question arises: did the manufacturer of the measuring system adequately form the intervals of the aforementioned parameters or does the problem lie in the performance of the shots by the chosen players?.