The aim of this study was to determine possible changes in physical performance and morphological characteristics in young basketball players before and after quarantine caused by COVID-19. The research was conducted on a total sample of 46 young basketball players. Participants were measured before the quarantine and pandemic in January 2020 and then after the quarantine period, one year later in March 2021. The results indicate the existence of significant differences in total muscle mass (p < 0.01) in favor of higher values measured before quarantine. Moreover, total fat percentage was higher (p < 0.03) after quarantine. As for physical performance, significant differences were also observed in the counter movement jump test (p < 0.05) and the 20 m shuttle run test (p < 0.05), with significantly poorer results for the group of participants measured after quarantine. The authors conclude that the consequences of the quarantine and pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were definitely negative, as higher values of body fat and lower values of the percentage of total muscle mass were observed. In addition, a lower level of the explosive power of lower limbs was observed, accompanied by lower aerobic endurance in young basketball players.

Background: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between body composition and motor coordination performance, and the secondary goal was to determine sex differences in body composition and motor coordination of preschool children. Methods: Forty-eight children (23 boys and 25 girls) underwent assessments for body composition and motor coordination using the Köperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). Results: Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between body composition and motor coordination in boys (p < 0.05) but not in girls. In boys, Body height (p = 0.01), Total muscle mass (p = 0.03), Total fat (p = 0.03), and Total water (p = 0.02) show statistically significant influence on single-leg jumps. Similar results were obtained for lateral jumps where there was a statistically significant influence of Body height (p = 0.01), Total muscle mass (p = 0.03), and Total water (p = 0.02). Interestingly, predictive variables showed no statistically significant influence on KTK overall score in boys (p = 0.42) nor in girls (p = 0.90). Conclusions: The predictive system of morphological variables demonstrated significance only among boys in this age group and sample. Girls outperformed boys due to early maturation, resulting in better average KTK scores.

The aim of this paper is to look at the relationship between morphological characteristics and motor abilities as a predisposition of students to play sports. On a sample of 58 students aged 9 (±0.5), a set of two variables was applied to define the morphological space (body height and body mass), and a set of three variables to assess the motor space of explosive power and motor speed (standing long jump, shuttle running 10 x 5 m, and hand tapping). The explanation of individual differences (variability) on the criterion variable based on a linear combination of a set of predictor variables was performed using a multiple linear regression. It has been established that better results on the long jump motor test are achieved by those students who achieved better results on the 10 x 5 m shuttle running test and who have a lower body mass. In addition, it can be concluded that better results in the motor test of shuttle running 10 x 5 m are achieved by those students who have a lower body mass and better results on the standing long jump and hand tapping tests. When it comes to the results in the hand tapping motor test, it can be stated that students who have a lower body height and a better/ faster result in the shuttle running 10 x 5 m will achieve better results. Accordingly, in physical and health education classes, special attention should be paid to the development of explosive strength and motor speed as particularly important motor abilities in the identification and selection of children and young people for sports.

Na uzorku od 45 ispitanika, muškog pola, 15 fudbalera FK „Čukarički Stankom“ iz Beograda, 15 kajakaša KK „Ivo Lola Ribar“ iz Beograda i 15 džudista JK „Olimp“ iz Beograda, uzrasta od 19 do 25 godina, bilo je izvršeno merenje maksimalne potrošnje kiseonika i srčane frekvence u opterećenju direktnom metodom - Conconijevim testom na pokretnoj traci. Primenom univarijatne analize varijanse, utvrđeno je da postoji statistički značajna razlika između navedenih grupa sportista u varijabli VO2 max. Primenom t-testa za dve nezavisne grupe utvrđeno je da postoji statistički značajna razlika između kajakša i fudbalera u varijabli VO2 max u korist kajakaša, između fudbalera i džudista u korist fudbalera i kajakaša i džudista u korist kajakaša. U varijabli Srčana frekvenca u opterećenju, statistički značajane razlike nisu uočene.

The study aimed to comprehensively investigate associations between anthropometric features and motor abilities in young school-age children. The sample included 285 students (140 boys and 145 girls, aged 10.44 ± 0.33 years). Sex differences in the anthropometric and motor variables were determined by an independent t-test, while multiple linear regression was used to examine whether anthropometric characteristics could predict motor test scores. Girls were significantly taller, with greater sitting height, leg and arm length, as well as hip width. Also, greater body mass and skinfold thickness, as well as better scores on flexibility tests were observed in girls compared to boys (t=1.384-3.290, p<0.05). Conversely, boys demonstrated better scores on tests to evaluate coordination, agility, aerobic endurance, and strength. Except for movement frequency and flexibility, all motor items showed small-to-large correlations with anthropometric measures. Skinfold thickness, body mass index, arm girth, together with leg length and wrist diameter, explained 44% of the explosive strength variance, while 32% of aerobic endurance was explained by leg girth, BMI, and skinfold thickness. These results indicate that anthropometric measures have a significant influence on several motor abilities, especially explosive strength and aerobic endurance, while the role of anthropometry on flexibility, frequency of movement, and coordination seem to be negligible.

The aim of the study was to review the current research on bone density in athletes, the difference between the bone density measured in different anatomical regions, and differences in bone density in athletes dealing with different athletic disciplines. The results of the research have indicated that top athletes have a higher bone density than non-sportsmen and athletes who are engaged in low-and middle-impact sports. It was also found that among the top athletes, different bone density was measured at different anatomical sites caused by the specific discipline they deal with. Active participation in athletic disciplines contributes to increased bone density and plays a crucial role in the prevention of osteoporosis.