The aim of this study was to examine the quantitative relationship between the results of laboratory and field tests assessing functional, metabolic and motor abilities and the match performances of young female basketball players. The research included the U16 female basketball players of the top three basketball clubs of the Serbian first under-16 league (N=30), (14.98 ± 0.68 yrs). The complex model method we applied included: laboratory and field testing and match performance analysis. The relations between the criterion and the system of predictors were determined by applying the multiple regression analysis, which defined the model of multiple relations and prediction. The research results have shown that the predictor variables are statistically significant, describing the criterion with 84.4% probability, meaning that there is a high multidimensional correlation between the results of laboratory and field tests and the match performance index. The practical application of this study implies a system of controlling the efficacy of the training process in the preparation stage, the selection and the creation of the model characteristics of functional, metabolic and motor abilities of young basketball players.

Body height is among the most important attributes of basketball players. Whether it differs among the basketball players who compete at the world basketball championship (FIBA-WC) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between the basketball players from the teams ranked 1–16 and those ranked below 16th place. The body heights of all players from the last three FIBA-WCs were collected and allocated according to the ranking at the FIBA-WC and analyzed by position in team. An independent sample t-test was conducted to analyze the difference in body height of players ranked 1–16 and players who ranked below 16th place. The players from the first 16 teams were significantly taller at three positions: point guards (Difference = 2.92 cm, p < 0.05), shooting guards (Difference = 2.16 cm, p < 0.05), and small forwards (Difference = 2.49 cm, p < 0.01). Body height seems to be an important factor for the performance of the basketball team at the FIBA-WC. Considering that all players at the FIBA-WC went through rigorous selection process to be in their national teams, body height of the higher-ranked players could be used as a reference value.

In order to achieve high results in sports, it is necessary to provide an adequate status of an athlete in according to various factors, among which the body structure is one of greater importance. The aim of this research is to define the most discriminated indicators of body structure indexes, thanks to which a specific change of physical structure can be observed according to a branch of sport and type of combat sport. Variables in the research were: body height, body mass, body mass index, free fat mass index, fat mass index, protein mass index, skeletal muscle mass index, percent of body fat, percent of skeletal muscle mass and protein fat index. The measuring of the body composition is realized by using multichannel segmental bioimpedance with InBody 720 apparatus, applied on the total of 112 male high level senior-age athlete members of different national team's member of Republic of Serbia (62 judokas, 29 Greco-Roman style wrestlers and 21 karatekas). The discriminative analysis has shown that subsamples of the athletes statistically differ in morphology on Wilks' lambda level (0.435, p = 0.000), and that following variables have the highest discrimination compared to athlete respondents in sport function: percent of skeletal mass (0.34), percent of body fat (0.28) and protein fat index (0.26), as the first isolated factor (p = 0.000) by which is explained 86.3 %, that is body weight (0.74), skeletal muscle index (0.73), protein mass index (0.72), body mass index (0.72) and free fat mass index (0.70), as the second factor (p = 0.030) by which 13.7 % variability of measured body structure space is explained. By establishing body structure models of judokas, wrestlers and karatekas for variables examined and by using modern technological method of measuring (InBody 720, 2008) we got new information that characterize specificity of the sport, which all contribute to spreading and improving already existing knowledge in the sports sciences and sport body morphology area.

Marković, M, Kukić, F, Dopsaj, M, Kasum, G, Toskić, L, and Zarić, I. Validity of a novel specific wrestling fitness test. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S51–S57, 2021—The specific wrestling fitness test (SWFT) is a novel test aiming to estimate the level of physical preparedness of wrestlers; therefore, it should posses an acceptable level of validity. The aim of this study was to investigate an internal, external, and construct validity of SWFT. The sample consisted of 15 national level male wrestlers (age = 22.6 ± 2.3 years, body mass [BM] = 83.3 ± 6.5 kg, and BM index [BMI] = 25.36 ± 1.2 kg·m⁻²). They performed the SWFT, specific judo fitness test (SJFT), and specific wrestling performance test (SWPT), each test on a separate day. For each test, performance was evaluated in absolute measure as total number of throws at the end of the test (TnThrows) and relative measure as TnThrows/BM and TnThrows/BMI. Heart rate at the end of the test (HR^0min) and 1 minute into recovery (HR^1min) was used as a measure of cardiovascular functionality, whereas specific judo fitness index (SJF^Index) was used as an indicator of cardiovascular functionality relative to given performance. A correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate the internal, external, and construct validity of SWFT. The SWFT_TnThrows/BM had the highest internal validity relative to SJFT_TnThrows/BM (R2 = 0.722, p < 0.001) and the highest external validity relative to SWPT_TnThrows/BM (r = 0.846, p < 0.001). SWFT_TnThrows/BM predicted SWPT_TnThrows/BM with a large coefficient of determination (R ² = 0.818, p < 0.001). SWFT_TnThrows/BM is valid and easily attainable predictor of wrestlers' specific physical preparedness and as such is of high practical value.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effects of virtual reality (VR) and traditional (TR) physical activity programs, analyzing their impact on the physical, health, and cognitive aspects of participants. The study sought to identify the advantages and limitations of both methods, taking into account previous research and potential areas for future studies. (2) Methods: The study protocol for this systematic review was registered at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY202530015). The review followed PRISMA guidelines, and studies were selected based on their relevance to the research objectives using the PICOS model criteria. The authors applied a meta-analysis in addition to a systematic review to further ensure the accuracy of the results. Primary outcomes included physical and cognitive performance, while secondary outcomes encompassed participant perceptions and psychological effects. (3) Results: The findings indicate that VR training significantly enhances flexibility, motivation, and cognitive abilities, particularly in populations with limited access to traditional exercise methods. The most pronounced effects were observed in programs lasting 8 to 12 weeks with a moderate to high intensity. In contrast, TR showed superiority in developing strength, endurance, and cardiorespiratory functions. (4) Conclusions: VR offers significant benefits as an adjunct or alternative to TR, especially for individuals with limited resources or physical accessibility. However, variations in methodological approaches, short program durations, and sample heterogeneity highlight the need for further longitudinal research. Standardizing VR training duration and intensity is essential to ensure consistent and reliable outcomes.

The aim of this research is to investigate the correlation of morphological characteristics, that is, body composition characteristics with the competitive performance of female basketball players of cadet (U16) age, in general and depending on the position played in the basketball team. The research involved female basketball players from the U16 section of the three best basketball clubs from the First Cadet League of Serbia (N = 30). This research consisted of measuring the characteristics of body composition, as a space of independent variables and the analysis of competitive activities where the dependent variable represents the level of achieved competitive performance. Based on the results of the Pearson Correlation Analysis, which was made for determining the degree of connection between the dependent variable and the independent variables, it can be seen that general level competitive performance is associated with the variables: percentage skeletal muscle mass, index of hypokinesy and protein-fat index. Viewed from the point of the position played in the team, the statistically significant relationship between the independent and the dependent variable was recorded only in the forwards position. Competitive and more successful forward players are distinguished by a small percentage of body fat mass, a higher percentage of muscle mass, a smaller hypokinesy index and a larger protein-fat index. The practical application of this research can be seen in the control system of applied training work, then selection, as well as in the creation of a model for morphological characteristics of players in the cadet (U16) age.