Analysis of the offensive teamwork intensity in elite female basketball

The aim of this study was to determine the offensive teamwork intensity at a high level of women’s basketball performance. Under observation for this research were quarter finalists of the European Women´s Basketball Championship held in 2011. The data were gathered from 951 ball possessions of 7 recorded games. Our earlier research (Bazanov, B et al. 2005) has helped to work out the basics of the analytical system of the teamwork aspect. The analysing system of the competitive activity of the game, which we have worked out, enables to determine the structure and intensity of the teamwork, and to find interesting models of game activity from the data. The results of this research showed that the average teamwork intensity index among quarter finalists of the European Women´s Basketball Championship in 2011 was 0,72 (SD+/- 0,24). Based on the results of working through the statistical data (T-test, F-test), it was found that the teamwork intensity index of successful offenses (0,76) was statistically significantly different (p<0,01) from non successful (0,68)

Optimization of a jump shot rhythm at the junior level of basketball performance

The jump shot is one of the most frequently used methods of shooting in the modern basketball. For example in the Spanish league, it accounts for 41% of all points (Rojas et al., 2000). Based on the results of our previous research which enabled to determine the phase structure and create rhythm models of shooting in elite male basketball (Bazanov, 2001, 2014) the purpose of this study was to improve the shooting rhythm of jump shot performances of male under 20 years old basketball players. The subjects used consisted of five under 20 years old basketball players of the Tallinn Basketball Academy. The whole action of shooting was divided into 5 phases and examined quantitatively and qualitatively. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The reliability of the differences was controlled by F-test and T-test. Results show, that the main changes occurred in preparation (“catching” and “sitting down”) phases. We can conclude, that execution of technical requirements allows to change significantly the jump shot rhythm performance and reduce the duration of the jump shot in basketball

The relationship between physiological and mechanical load indicators and offensive team efficiency in junior male basketball

The aim of this investigation was to identify the players physiological and mechanical load demands in association with the offensive teamwork structure and efficiency at the junior level of basketball performance. Sixteen elite male junior (age 17,4 ± 1,2 years; height 193,7 ± 7,4 cm; mass 84,4 ± 11,1 kg) Estonian basketball players volunteered to participate in this study. The data were gathered from 197 ball possessions in three competitive games played in division 1 of Estonian Championship. The heart rate and mechanical activity values of each player partakes in team ball possession were obtained by the physiological status monitoring device Zephyr™ BioHarness™. The technical/tactical indicators of the team offensive activity, „teamwork intensity“ and outcomes were notated to the Microsoft Office Excel table. The last stage of data processing provided the analysis of aggregated data by Data mining method. The sample of associative rules for the team scoring (depended variable) more than the average 0,90 (predicted value) highlights the role of the point guardś high level of heart rate (181 BMP on average) for increasing the offensive efficiency. Furthermore, the efficient possessions are characterized by the high values of mechanical activity (>1) and heart rate (165-191 BMP) of forwards accompanied by a high teamwork „intensity“ indicator (0,83-. 1,55). Based on these results, we can conclude that the players higher mechanical activity and heart rate values ensure a higher offensive efficiency of a basketball team

Sprint cycling performance and asymmetry

The purpose of this study was to examine the asymmetries in cyclist’s lower limbs strength and in the pedalling kinematics during a seated sprinting test and to identify the relationships between asymmetries and maximal cycling power. 16 competitive road cyclists (20.6±3.7 yrs., 181.5±5.0 cm, 74.8±7.0 kg) performed 10 Sec isokinetic maximum power test with cadence 120 RPM. The asymmetry of kinematic patterns of cyclist’s upper and lower body during pedalling was registered. Separately isokinetic peak torque (PT) of main lover limbs joint were measured at angular speeds 60, 180 and 240/s. The differences in kinematic patterns and isokinetic PT values between two limbs were analysed for descriptive and inferential statistics (relative share in %, correlations and regression between asymmetry values and cycling power). Conclusion: The highest asymmetries were found in cyclist’s upper body kinematics and at the same time the most symmetrical were knee extensors strength values, but both parameters were negatively and significantly correlated with the performance of sprint cycling. By combining the leg extensors muscular strength with asymmetry of knee extensors strength and trunk kinematics the explanatory power of multiple regressions increased markedly from 0.68 to 0.92

Relationship between musculoskeletal state and vertical jump ability of young basketball players

The aim of this study was to evaluate the musculoskeletal state and jumping ability and to analyse the relationships between fundamental movement patterns and the jumping height of male junior level basketball players. Fifty four Under 18 (U-18) years basketball players were evaluated according to FMS 21 and 100 point scale and height of Squat (SJ) and Countermovement jump (CMJ). Spearman and Pearson correlations were carried out to identify whether a relationship existed between FMS scores and the height of SJ and CMJ. The moderate correlations were found between height of both jumps and FMS score (SJ, r = 0.375; CMJ, r = 0.498), whereas the sub-tests show a reliable correlation between the Deep Squat (DS) score and CMJ height (r = 0.315). A higher height of CMJ was also associated with the scores of In-line Lunge (r = 0.357) and Active SLR (r= 0.291). The basis of the findings we can conclude that improvement of the jump ability can be achieved by the enhancement of the overall musculoskeletal state, which can be identified through the composite FMS score or by “Deep squat“, “In-line Lunge“ and “Active SLR“ sub-tests

Novel way for FMS score calculation highlights field of sport- specific information among young competitive athletes

Any complex movement encompasses information about a person’s abilities and disabilities. FMS™ test includes such exercise tests that have shown to reflect risk for injury in the athletic population. There are few reports where FMS™ score reflects certain sports to be more prone to injury. The inconsistency of results may arise from the way subtest scores are combined. Instead of a summation we propose to apply more justified method of geometric mean of subtest scores to tally the final composite score. We used tests on 215 young competitive athletes, 133 young female (age 17.35 ± 1,65) and 82 males (age 17,78± 2.1) from 8 fields of sport (volleyball, basketball, handball, fencing, judo, biathlon, cycling, soccer). Original FMS 21 point (FMS21) were used and for every participant’s arithmetic and geometric mean were calculated. The mean composite FMS™ score of young female athletes was 14.3±1.7 and for male’s 13.8±1.6 out of possible 21 total point. The comparison of sport-specific geometric mean values among girls showed that basketball players had significantly lower results than athletes from biathlon and handball players. Contrarily among boys the handball players had lowest values, being significantly lower from in cyclists, fencers and soccer players. Cyclists had also higher geometric mean values than volleyball players and judo athletes. Detailed analysis of the structure of differences is needed to highlight the specific causes impacting FMS_GM for assessment for seriousness and for specific exercises to potentially compensate for the sport specific detrimental effect on the kinematic chain

Cycling specific postural stability during incremental exercise: The relationship with cyclists Functional Movement Screen score

The purpose of this study was to characterise the changes in the power of the normalised ground reaction forces and COP swaying, as measures of the cycling stability and effectiveness of full body motion during an incremental cycling exercise; and to examine the relationships between cycling specific postural stability and cyclists ability to perform functional movements, measured by the FMS test.38 competitive road cyclists (19.2±2.3 yrs., 181.7±6.6 cm, 74.3±7.3 kg) performed Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test to evaluate their musculoskeletal state.  Experimental cycling exercise was performed using the cyclist’s personal racing bikes mounted on the cycling ergometer Cyclus 2, which were fixed on two Kistler 9286B force plate.  The 6 ground reaction force (GRF) components (3 linear and 3 angular), COP movement deviation and sway velocity were measured during incremental cycling exercise (step 2 min, increment 25W). Postural stability measures were calculated as power corrected standard deviations of COP and GRF components signals during 30 sec cycling in every incremental step. The paired t-test was used to control differences in postural stability measures between intensity levels and correlation analyses was used to evaluate relationships between postural stability and FMS scores. Results of the study indicate that most integrative cycling specific posture stability measure is COP sway velocity that is also most sensitive predictor of cyclist’s musculoskeletal state, measured by the FMS test.  During an incremental cycling exercise the power normalised postural swaying decreased up to the intensity at the level of anaerobic threshold and during the level of the maximal aerobic power the postural stability decreased significantly

The effect of plyometric training program on young volleyball players in their usual training period

The purpose of this study was to find out the efficiency of composed plyometric training program on youth volleyball players force capabilities in their usual training period. The plyometric training program was applied during 16 week period where was attended twenty-one 12-19 years old youth volleyball players. Twelve of them were female and nine male volleyball players. There were three control testings. All subjects participated in following tests: standing long jump, depth leap long jump, medicine ball throws up in 10 seconds, medicine ball overhead throws forward against the wall in 10 seconds, maximal vertical jumps to the maximal height in 10 seconds, maximal vertical jump height. Testing results statistical analysis has shown athletes legs and arms speed force reliable improvement. Standing long jump, depth leap long jump and maximal vertical jump height test results, what has shown legs explosive power, has not shown remarkable reliable difference (P>0.05). Medicine ball throws and maximal vertical jumps to the maximal height in 10 seconds, what show speed force improvement, showed reliable difference (P<0.01)

Does limited gear ratio driven higher training cadence in junior cycling reflect in maximum effort sprint?

Maximum gears for youth category riders are limited. As a result, youth category riders are regularly compelled to ride in a high cadence regime. The aim of this study was to investigate if regular work at high cadence regime due to limited transmission in youth category riders reflects in effectual cadence at the point of maximal power generation during the 10 second sprint effort. 24 junior and youth national team cyclist’s average maximal peak power at various cadence regimes was registered on Cyclus-2 ergometer using cyclists own bikes. Effectual cadence at the point of maximal power generation (group average 113.9±10.6 rpm) is similar to the values of professional road cyclist during the last 200m sprinting to finish where 10 second average cadence is 109.9±5.3 rpm and highest average cadence is 117.6±6.1 rpm. The premise that regular work at high cadence regime due to limited transmission in youth category riders reflects in effectual cadence at the point of maximal power generation during the 10 second sprint effort was not corroborated

Isokinetic muscle strength and short term cycling power of road cyclists

The ability to produce maximal short term power plays important role in success and tactical economy in competitive road cycling. There are no current studies relating the isokinetic strength parameters of lover limb muscles to sprinting power in high level competitive cyclists. The purpose of this study was to characterise lower body muscles strength among high level cyclists and examine the relationship between isokinetic muscle strength and cycling sprinting power. Power output of 17 high level road cyclists (age 20.5±3.8 yrs., mass 180.8±5.7 cm, height 74.3±7.0 kg) was measured with the help of isokinetic test on a Cyclus2 Ergometer. Also isokinetic strength of ankle plantar flexors, ankle dorsal flexors, knee and hip extensors and flexors were measured with Humac NORM isokinetic dynamometer in angular speeds 60, 180 and 240º/s. The hip extensors were the strongest muscle group in all measured velocities, followed by knee extersors and hip flexors, the weakest muscle group was ankle dorsi flexors. Hip extensors torque at 180º/s was strongly correlated (r=0.9 between absolute values and r=0.74 between relative to body weight values) with short term cycling power while other muscle group demonstrated weaker relationship. Relative strength of hip flexors and ankle dorsi flexors did not show meaningful relationship with sprinting power after correction with riders body weight. In conclusion, the strongest muscle group in road cyclists are hip extensors, sprinting power has strongest correlation with hip extensors strength at angular speed of 180º/s, relationship between sprinting power and strength of hip flexors was statistically insignificant