Short- and long-term effects of using shooting straps on free-throw accuracy of young female basketball players

This study identified the short- and long-term effects of using a shooting strap on the accuracy of freethrows performed by U15 female basketball players during training and competition. Thirty six female basketball player volunteers (aged 14.3±0.5 years) from the Lithuanian Schoolchildren Basketball League were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group used a shooting strap that immobilized movements of the supporting hand while shooting. The control group performed freethrows without any training aid. Learning and transfer of performance was assessed before and after the intervention training sessions (4-week intervention program applied 4 times per week), and on a retention test after one year. Results showed that: (a) free-throw accuracy was higher after one month and after one year of intervention than before the intervention training program in both practice and competition; (b) the experimental group scored better in practice and competition than the control group after one month and one year of the intervention; and (c) free-throw accuracy was higher during training sessions than during competition. The identified short-term and long-term improvements in free-throw shooting accuracy support the usage of shooting straps. The use of shooting straps and external assisting devices might allow adjusting programs of training to provide fluent free-throw accuracy progresses from youth to senior categories

SHOOTING PERFORMANCE DID NOT CHANGE IN ELITE WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAMS FROM 1995 TO 2011

Performance indices, i.e. model characteristics, quantitative and qualitative indices of a shot made at the basketball match, are a part of the system of criteria that allow one to objectively determine and evaluate the readiness of basketball teams and the quality of their performance. The aim of this research was to identify and evaluate changes in the key quantitative and qualitative indicators of shooting for the best European women's basketball national teams between 1995 and 2011. The data from official statistical documents for the 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2013 European women's basketball championships were collected and statistical analyses (mean, standard deviation) of 608 cases were used. It was ascertained that the number of scores in one match of the European championship of the eight best women's basketball teams decreased from 69 to 65 points. The number of shots from close and middle distances dropped sharply - from 51 to 43 points in a match, however, their accuracy remained similar - between 42 and 43 %. The number of long-distance shots increased dramatically, from 9 to 16 points in a match, their accuracy had a tendency to increase from 29 to 33 %. The number of free throws decreased significantly - from 26 to 17 points in a match, but their accuracy remained similar - between 71 and 72 %

Recreational 3 × 3 basketball elicits higher heart rate, enjoyment, and physical activity intensities but lower blood lactate and perceived exertion compared to HIIT in active young adults

This study aimed to assess and compare the physiological [percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax), blood lactate (BLa), creatine kinase (CK)], hormonal (testosterone, cortisol), psychological [rating of perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment] and physical [percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (%MVPA) and vigorous activity (%VA)] responses of recreational 3×3 basketball (3×3BB) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in active young adults. Twelve apparently healthy male recreational basketball players (age: 23±3 years; body mass: 82±15 kg; stature: 188±15 cm) completed a 3×3BB match and HIIT with similar duration. %HRmax, %MVPA and %VA were monitored during the protocols, while BLa, cortisol, and testosterone were measured before and after each protocol. CK was measured before the protocols and at 24 h, while RPE and enjoyment were assessed at the end of each protocol. 3×3BB elicited higher %HRmax (p 0.05). 3×3BB elicits higher %HRmax, enjoyment, and physical activity intensities but lower BLa and RPE compared to HIIT in active young adults and might be considered as a potentially suitable activity to increase participants’ health status

Monitoring workload in elite female basketball players during the in-season phase: Weekly fluctuations and effect of playing time

Scanlan, AT ORCiD: 0000-0002-0750-8697Purpose: To assess the weekly fluctuations in workload and differences in workload according to playing time in elite female basketball players. Methods: A total of 29 female basketball players (mean [SD] age 21 [5] y, stature 181 [7] cm, body mass 71 [7] kg, playing experience 12 [5] y) belonging to the 7 women’s basketball teams competing in the first-division Lithuanian Women’s Basketball League were recruited. Individualized training loads (TLs) and game loads (GLs) were assessed using the session rating of perceived exertion after each training session and game during the entire in-season phase (24 wk). Percentage changes in total weekly TL (weekly TL + GL), weekly TL, weekly GL, chronic workload, acute:chronic workload ratio, training monotony, and training strain were calculated. Mixed linear models were used to assess differences for each dependent variable, with playing time (low vs high) used as fixed factor and subject, week, and team as random factors. Results: The highest changes in total weekly TL, weekly TL, and acute:chronic workload ratio were evident in week 13 (47%, 120%, and 49%, respectively). Chronic workload showed weekly changes ≤10%, whereas monotony and training strain registered highest fluctuations in weeks 17 (34%) and 15 (59%), respectively. A statistically significant difference in GL was evident between players completing low and high playing times (P = .026, moderate), whereas no significant differences (P > .05) were found for all other dependent variables. Conclusions: Coaches of elite women’s basketball teams should monitor weekly changes in workload during the in-season phase to identify weeks that may predispose players to unwanted spikes and adjust player workload according to playing time. © 2019 Human Kinetics, Inc

Associations between physical activity and health-related physical fitness in 17 years-old girls

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity (PA) and health-related physical fitness (HRPF) of 17-year- old girls. The study was performed in 12 randomly selected secondary schools of Lithuania. The sample consisted of 233 17-year-old girls who were classified into three sub-groups according to their level of PA. PA level was assessed using the modified Short Form of IPAQ questionnaire. Body mass and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. HRPF was estimated by measuring speed and agility (10x5m shuttle test), explosive strength (standing broad jump test), trunk strength (sit-up test) and flexibility (sit-and-reach test). Body mass and BMI significantly differed among PA groups with the highest values in the Low PA group and the lowest in the High PA group. Girls experiencing higher PA levels scored better on explosive strength test. Flexibility, trunk strength scores, speed, and agility did not significantly differ among PA groups. The relationship between total volume of PA and explosive strength was low. No significant relationships were found between total volume of PA and other HRPF components. In addition, a significant association in explosive strength was identified. The 17-year-old girls experiencing a higher PA level have better explosive strength. However, no statistically significant relationships were found among 17-year-old girls’ total volume of PA and other HRPF components − flexibility, trunk strength, speed and agility

Associations between physical activity and health-related physical fitness in 17 years-old girls

<p>The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity (PA) and health-related physical fitness (HRPF) of 17-year- old girls. The study was performed in 12 randomly selected<br />secondary schools of Lithuania. The sample consisted of 233 17-year-old girls who were classified into three sub-groups according to their level of PA. PA level was assessed using the modified Short Form of IPAQ questionnaire. Body mass and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. HRPF was estimated by measuring speed and agility (10x5m shuttle test), explosive strength (standing broad jump test), trunk strength (sit-up test) and flexibility (sit-and-reach test). Body mass and BMI significantly differed among PA groups with the highest values in the Low PA group and the lowest in the High PA group. Girls experiencing higher PA levels scored better on explosive strength test. Flexibility, trunk strength scores, speed, and agility did not significantly differ among PA groups. The relationship between total volume of PA and explosive strength was low. No significant relationships were found between total volume of PA and other HRPF components. In addition, a significant association in explosive strength was identified. The 17-year-old girls experiencing a higher PA level have better explosive strength. However, no statistically significant relationships were found among 17-year-old girls’ total volume of PA and other HRPF components − flexibility, trunk strength, speed and agility.</p

Analysis of gender differences in dropouts in sports centres located in school campuses

Sin financiación1.621 JCR (2019) Q2, 151/373 Economics0.300 SJR (2019) Q2, 207/458 Business and International ManagementNo data IDR 2019UE

Preventing violence and social exclusion through sport and physical activity: the SAVE project

Sport Against Violence and Exclusion (SAVE), a project cofounded by the Erasmus + Program of the European Union, seeks to prevent violent and socially exclusive behaviors through physical activity. The current editorial shows a range of possible interpretations of these two phenomena from both a psychological and sociological point of view, offering helpful methods to coaches who train children (ages 6 to 12)in grass-root sport clubs. Following a thorough analysis, partners from seven EU countries (Lithuania, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Austria, and Spain) will be able to identify skills and techniques for coaches to ensure inclusive training methods as well as to provide them with effective conflict resolution tools. Furthermore, both trainers and parents will have access to an online platform with useful information regarding these issue