Purpose: to determine the effect of water plyometric training on such components of motor skills as explosive power, agility and speed in young players. Develop practical recommendations for building a training process to improve the motor skills of athletes. Material and methods: when divided into groups of players was used a parallel randomized method with the creation of experimental and control equal groups of 20 players in each group (age 16.25 ± 1.0 years, height 168 ± 3.0 cm, body weight 61, 03 ± 4.0 kg). The duration of the experimental program was 2 months. The water plyometric training program (APT) was used in the experimental group, while the ground plyometric training program (LPT) was used in the control group. Results. In the experimental group was found to increase the jump in height by 21.05%, long jump - by 8.84%. The experimental group also found a significant increase in dexterity by 9.35% with a significance level less than 0.05, a value of t = 7.19. Dexterity as a physical ability combines many other physical abilities, such as speed, strength, power. In the experimental group was also found a significant increase in speed by 12.50% at a significance level less than 0.05. Conclusions. Plyometric training in the water increased the strength of the muscles of the legs of football players, while the majestic vertical jump increased by 21.05%, and the distance of the horizontal jump - by 8.84%. In addition, for 2 months, the training program contributed to the development of dexterity by 9.35% and an increase in speed by 12.50%. The use of ground plyometric training also improves physical abilities, but with fewer indicators of significant change than plyometric training in water.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of body composition on the anaerobic strength of the lower extremities, as well as the prediction of body composition on the results of anaerobic ability in professional football players. Materials and Method. The sample of respondents consists of female football players who compete in the highest rank of the competition, the Serbian Super League. The total number of respondents included in the study was 21 female football players (age 19.38 ± 3.69, body height 166.48 ± 6.17 cm, body weight 59.98 ± 7.09 kg). The study is of a transversal nature and testing was done in the pre-competition period. The sample of measuring instruments used in the research are body composition and assessment of anaerobic strength of the lower extremities. Assessment of body composition was performed indoors using a multifrequency bioelectric impedance (Inbody 770). Variables for estimating the anaerobic strength of the lower extremities were obtained using a bicycle ergometer (Monark 839E) in the Wingate Anaerobic Test. Results. The results of body composition show a statistically significant influence on the prediction of maximum anaerobic strength of the lower extremities in professional female football players (p < 0.05), as well as on the overall work in the anaerobic zone and the mean values ​​of anaerobic strength. Regression analysis of the influence of body composition on the parameters of maximum strength in (W/kg) and fatigue rate does not show statistically significant results. Conclusion. There is a statistically significant influence of body composition, such as: body weight, lean body mass (%), muscle mass in absolute and relative values, on the values ​​of maximum anaerobic strength, mean values ​​of anaerobic strength and overall work in professional female footballers.

Background: It is crucial to evaluate children’s motor coordination and strength to identify possible motor deficits on the right or left side of the body. However, whether a distinction exists in children aged 3–6 must be clarified. The goal of the current research was to investigate the differences in motor skills between preschool boys and girls, dominant and non-dominant hands or legs, in children of preschool age. (2) Methods: The present study was conducted on a sample of children (boys, n = 52; girls, n = 52; age range, 3–6 years). Three motor tests evaluated on both sides of the body served as the sample of factors used to measure athletic performance. Leg tapping (15 s), hand tapping (15 s), and a maximal hand grip strength (HGS) test kg. (3) Results: The study’s findings show no statistically significant variations in preschool boys’ and girls’ motor skills. Preschool girls had better results in the right leg tapping than preschool boys t (98) = 2.08; p ≤ 0.04. We found a significant difference between genders aged 3–4, 4–5, and 5–6 years. No correlation was found between the girls’ three variables and age. A small but significant positive correlation was found between dominant hand tapping and age r² (52) = 0.21; p ≤ 0.01, dominant leg tapping and age r² (52) = 0.20; p ≤ 0.01 and dominant HGS and age r² (52) = 0.17; p ≤ 0.01. No noticeable differences were identified when comparing the dominant side with the non-dominant side in each group. The results show that most children prefer to use their right hand and right leg as their dominant sides. (4) Conclusion: The authors of this study focus on the functional (frequency of movements) and dynamic (differences in muscle strength between body sides) elements of asymmetry. Future studies should examine the influence of morphology on performance with the dominant or non-dominant body side.

Changes and deformities to the feet are frequent among athletes. The aim of this review paper is to determine the prevalence of foot deformities among athletes with various backgrounds, as well as to determine the influence of the deformities on motor task performance. The compiled studies were published between 2002 and 2018. The following electronic databases were used for the search: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EBSCO. The identified studies had to satisfy the following criteria: that they included athletes and that the subject of analysis were the differences in foot deformities in relation to performing motor tasks. Research papers on this topic were reviewed and analyzed. They are clearly organized in tabular form, with a clear outline of the details of the research. The results of 16 research papers are summed up. The most prevalent deformity among athletes is flat feet (pes planus). The studies indicate the various deformities which are prevalent in particular sports, and determine the changes in the feet of the athletes, in particular for the foot which plays a decisive role in certain sports. Individuals with flat feet scored lower results compared to individuals with normal arches in terms of time and reaction speed when performing motor tasks.

Change of direction (COD) and technical skills are considered key parameters of performance in youth soccer, as they are highly demanded during a match. The aim of this study was to examine whether change of direction and Dribble deficit (DD) differ between younger soccer players from various consecutive age categories. Ninety young soccer players (mean age: 11.67 ± 1.29 years; body height: 154.84 ± 10.82 cm; body weight: 43.95 ± 9.62 kg) participated in the study and were divided into 5 age categories (Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, and Under 14). All the participants performed change-of-direction tests (the Slalom and Zig-zag) with and without a ball. The DD is determined indirectly by reducing the time variation between the fastest trials with and without a ball. The results revealed that the U14 group is significantly better in the Slalom with and without a ball compared to the other groups, in the Slalom DD compared to the U12 group, and Zig-Zag DD compared to the U13 group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, as expected, the U10 group showed the lowest results, with the Slalom test results significantly lower compared to the other categories (p < 0.05). In conclusion, as was expected, the oldest group (U14) showed better results in both COD tests and in DD compared to their younger peers, with the youngest group (U10) exhibiting the lowest values in almost all the tests.

Asymmetries in sports are common and can lead to various issues; however, different training programs can facilitate change. This study aimed to assess the effects of opposing plyometric programs on tensiomyography lateral symmetry (TMG LS)/inter-limb asymmetry in female athletes’ lower-body muscles, alongside kinematic and body composition parameters. Twenty female subjects from basketball, volleyball, and track and field (sprinting disciplines) were divided into two experimental groups (n = 10 each). Two six-week plyometric programs (two sessions/week) were implemented: the first program (E1) focused on eccentric exercises, depth landings, while the second (E2) emphasized concentric exercises, squat jumps. TMG assessed LS in six muscles: vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius lateralis, and gastrocnemius medialis. A kinematic analysis of the countermovement jump (CMJ) and body composition was conducted using “Kinovea; Version 0.9.4” software and InBody 770, respectively. The results showed significant increases in LS percentages (E1—VL 9.9%, BF 18.0%, GM 10.6% and E2—BF 22.5%, p < 0.05), and a significant large effect in E1 for VL, and in E2 for BF, p < 0.01). They also showed that E1 had a significant effect on VL, and that E2 had a significant large effect on BF (p < 0.01). E1 also led to increased lean muscle mass in both legs (left: 1.88%, right: 2.74%) and decreased BMIs (−0.4, p < 0.05). Both programs improved LS, with E1 enhancing muscle mass and lower-body positioning in CMJ. We recommend future studies use varied jump tests, incorporate 3D kinematic analysis, include male subjects, and examine more muscles to enhance TMG LS analysis.