Plyometric training involves the use of exercises in which the actual muscles after eccentric contraction become concentric. The aim of this narrative review was to determine the significance and role of plyometric training in basketball, ie this review aimed to determine the influence of plyometric training on the explosive power, sprint, and the change of direction speed of basketball players. The results of this review indicate that plyometric training is an effective method that has a positive effect on short-term maximum performance in basketball. However, some studies have indicated that the effect may be absent on sprint and change of direction speed in basketball players. The general factors of application of plyometric training are age, warm-up, exercises, performance technique, equipment, and surface. The effects of plyometric training can vary depending on factors such as athlete's level, gender, sports activity, duration, type of plyometric training. Therefore, further original studies are needed, in order to further clarify the effect of plyometric training on short-term maximum performance, especially on sprint and change of direction speed of basketball players.

(1) Background: The objective of this systematic review was to collect relevant data in the available contemporary studies about sports injuries of basketball players and explain differences in sports injuries relative to gender, location, sport, and position on the court; (2) Methods: The papers were searched digitally using PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases, from 1990 to 2024; (3) Results: The most frequent severe injuries for both genders are knee and ankle injuries and the most frequent forms of injury are ankle sprain and ligament strain. The most frequent injuries occur during running and after contact with the ball. Shooting guards sustain the highest injury rate followed by centers and point guards, while guards have the highest rate of adductor muscle injury; and (4) Conclusions: Studies indicate that ankle and knee injuries are prevalent among basketball players, with ankle sprains being particularly prevalent. Knee injuries are more common in female basketball players, including ACL injuries. Various factors contribute to injuries, including the biomechanics of jumping, landing, sudden changes in direction, and the physical demands placed on the body during the game.

(1) Background: Sports games are one of the best ways of engaging in physical activity for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and Down syndrome (DS). This systematic review of the current literature aims to identify and sum relevant data on motor skills and clarify whether there are positive effects of sports programs in motor skills games in children, adolescents, and youth with ID and DS. (2) Methods: The systematic review of the papers was carried out following the methodological guidelines and by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) consensus. The following electronic databases were researched: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ERIC from 2001 to 2023. (3) Results: The basketball test battery can be used to improve and monitor basketball training. Basketball players with lower levels of ID achieved better results, especially those with disabilities of the II and III degrees. Futsal has a positive impact on the coordination, and the differences between the test results of the vertical jump with and without an arm swing, that can be seen indirectly as a coordination factor, were statistically significant. (4) Conclusions: Basketball is recommended as an effective and practical rehabilitation program for children, adolescents, and youth with ID and DS. Futsal is an interesting and helpful activity for individuals with ID as well.

The aim of the research was to determine, based on a systematic review of published studies that dealt with barriers to physical activity in adolescents, which are the most common barriers that stop adolescents from engaging in physical activity. Within the research original scientific studies are included, the ones that had male and female adolescents as a sample of respondents, studies related to the analysis of barriers that occur in adolescents, in which assessments were made on the basis of a questionnaire related to barriers. The research included studies from January 1, 2003, to July 2020. The final analysis, based on the set criteria, included 11 studies that were processed and presented. Most studies have shown that more internal barriers than external ones occur in girls comparing to boys, while external barriers are more common causes of not engaging in physical activity in boys. The three most common barriers among boys were: lack of company, lack of time and school obligations. Among girls, the most commonly reported barrier was "I'd rather do some other activities" and reporting a lack of time. The significance of this research is that it provides information on barriers in respondents who are adolescents, ie the reasons why their physical activity is reduced or they do not engage in physical activity at all. The significance of this research is that it provides information on barriers in respondents who are adolescents, ie the reasons why their physical activity is reduced or they do not engage in physical activity at all.

Repeated sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) represents an innovative method in the process of development and improvement of physical performance among athletes. However, there is less scientific data on this topic. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of RSH method on motor abilities and performance among athletes, obtain new information, and expand the already known conclusions. The data search was performed of 4 electronic databases for the years 2000-2021 May as follows: Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and ResearchGate. This search with English language restriction was made by using the following terms, individually/combination: "repeated sprint ability", "hypoxia", "effects", "physical performance", "VO2max" 844 studies were indentified, and 14 studies were selected (11 male studies, 1 female study, 2 both sexes). Results of this systematic review, a total sample size of 347 athletes (40 females and 307 males, aged 15.3 ± 0.5 - 35 ± 7 years), showed that RSH was an effective training method in improving all monitored variables (i.e. RSAmax, VO2max). However, it should be noted that major improvements were observed mainly in repeated sprint ability (RSA) tests, and less in aerobic tests (i.e. Wingate and Yo-Yo). In conclusion, based on current scientific studies, RSH is more effective method to improve the physical performance among athletes compared to repeated sprint training in normoxia (RSN). This study suggested that the RSH has a positive effect on the monitored variables in physical performance tests especially related to RSA.

This study investigated the influence of biological maturity status on anthropometric, body composition, and physical performance characteristics in elite youth male basketball players. A total of 140 players (15.12 ± 0.78 years) competing in national elite programs were categorized as early, on-time, or late maturers according to years from peak height velocity (PHV). Each participant completed a standardized testing battery including anthropometric assessments, body composition analysis (InBody 720), countermovement jump (CMJ) with and without arm swing, drop jump from 40 cm (DJ40), linear sprints over 5–20 m, and agility tests (t-test and Lane Agility). Between-group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests, while partial eta squared (ηp²) and magnitude-based inference (MBI) were applied to assess effect size and practical significance. Significant differences were observed across maturity groups (p < 0.05), with early maturers being taller, heavier, and more muscular than their on-time and late-maturing peers. Large effects were found for height (ηp² = 0.667) and body mass (ηp² = 0.455), and moderate-to-large effects for jump, sprint, and agility performance (ηp² = 0.051–0.166). MBI results indicated that most differences between early and late maturers were “very likely” or “almost certain,” highlighting their practical relevance. These findings confirm that biological maturity substantially affects physical and performance profiles in adolescent basketball players and underscore the importance of maturity-informed approaches such as bio-banding and individualized training to ensure fair evaluation and equitable talent development in youth sport.