Geographical, cultural, and socio-economic factors create a different lifestyle. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to identify the differences in anthropometric and fitness characteristics among adolescents living in Montenegro and Kosovo in order to optimize the physical fitness as a consequence of the proactive behavior. Anthropometric characteristics and fitness level measures were assessed by Eurofit testing battery among 600 Kosovar and 600 Montenegrin students, equally distributed by gender. Differences between countries, gender, and age group (13, 14 and 15 years) were assessed with multivariate and univariate analysis of variance. The results showed that Montenegrin students are taller, heavier, and achieve better results in the sit-ups and 20-m endurance shuttle-run tests. Kosovar students achieve better results in the standing broad jump and 10 × 5 m shuttle-run tests. Males achieve significantly better results in all tests, excluding the sit-and-reach test. Statistically significant differences among age groups were found for all variables, regardless gender and country (except for the flamingo and sit-and reach tests). This study is of importance to physical education teachers and curriculum authors to optimize students’ proactive behavior based on the identified anthropometric and physical fitness differences between the two countries, age groups, and genders.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic parameters of the body for the preparation phase of the free throw to improve the efficiency and sport performances. The study includes a total twenty elite basketball players from the Kosovo Super League teams: K.B. Prishtina, K.B. Kerasani and K.B. Lipljan. Basketball shooting measurements were conducted during the training of the 2018 year. Filming of the basketball shooting techniques is done with three Canon HD cameras, set at 90-degree angles, which can reproduce sixty pictures per second. 12 variables of kinematic parameters of body were selected for analysis. Only one successful shot from each player was taken for analysis. Analysis is done with Kinematic Analysis System (APAS), outputting the required results and values of the kinematic indicators. The data collected were processed by statistical analysis software

Study purpose. The aim of this study is to differentiate the situational and motor abilities between two leagues of junior basketball players in Kosovo. A total of 120 players, aged 18, were assessed in this research, with 60 players belonging to the Super League and the remaining 60 players from the Unique League. Materials and methods. In this research, the measuring instruments employed included a set of 12 basic motor variables and 5 situational motor variables. To ensure precise speed and agility data, electronic sensors in the form of Witty timer (Microgate) were utilized. The statistical analyses conducted involved the application of the t-test to identify significant differences between the leagues for individual variables, while the canonical discriminant analysis was employed to differentiate between the two leagues based on the comprehensive set of measured variables. Results. Differences were observed in specific variables, favoring the Super League players in areas such as abdominal muscles endurance (p < 0.05) and throwing the medicine ball (p < 0.01), while the Unique League players excelled in jump height and agility tests. T-test and discriminant analysis confirmed significant distinctions between the leagues (p < 0.01). These findings provide valuable insights into the contrasting abilities of players in the two leagues. Conclusions. This study found significant differences between the Super League and Unique League among U18 basketball players in Kosovo. The Super League players showed superior performance in explosive upper body strength, repetitive strength, and agility, while the Unique League players displayed higher physical preparedness in basic motor skills.

Taking into account the role that the selection of athletes has in the success of clubs as well as in the sports life of young people, this research aims to highlight the impact of the Relative Age Effects (RAE) in the selection of athletes for representative teams of Kosovo in collective sports and the difference between the respective groups. The study was designed as an observational cross-sectional study. The total sample of persons in this research was n=237 (118 male and 119 female) athletes of the Kosovo National Team of team sports. The athletes were divided into 4 main groups: Q1 (January-March), Q2 (April-June), Q3 (July-September) and Q4 (October-December) with a special emphasis on the Q1 and Q4 group (for all sports the birth dates of the age post-puberty were collected). The analysis of the data clearly indicates that young athletes born in Q1 and Q2 were significantly more selected for representative teams compared to those in the other two groups. The results demonstrate a significant relative age effect on athlete selection based on gender for the Kosovo National Team. Specifically, athletes from Q1 and Q2 were favored. Based on these findings, it is strongly recommended that the respective federations, sports trainers, and relevant sports authorities take proactive measures to prevent the “discrimination” experienced by young athletes.

Free throw shooting is a fundamental skill in basketball that requires a combination of technique, consistency, mental focus, and the ability to perform under pressure. The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic parameters of the ball trajectory during a successful free throw. The study involved 20 players from the Kosovo Basketball League during the 2020 season. Ten kinematic variables were selected for analysis. Three Canon cameras (Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan), recording at 60 frames per second, were used to capture the free throw motion. The recorded videos were analyzed using the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) to extract kinematic data. Significant correlations were found between kinematic variables in the ball trajectory during a successful free throw between: Initial distance between the ball and the center of gravity and height of release (r=0.68), Final distance between the ball and the center of gravity and height of release (r=0.61), Height of release and vertical displacement of the ball’s trajectory (r=-0.72), Release angle and entry angle of the ball (r=0.65). The results of this research enrich the scientific knowledge of the kinematic analysis of the ball trajectory in basketball free throws, contributing to the development of more accurate methodologies for evaluating and improving performance in the sport of basketball. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the kinematic principles underlying successful free throw shooting and provide valuable information for coaches and athletes seeking to enhance performance.

Fundamental motor skills that are developed during childhood are considered to be the building blocks for sport-specific movement patterns and are typically the focus of physical development programs for children, to develop gross motor skills from early childhood. Specifically, it has been shown that within a sport-specific environment, fundamental motor skills can separate children with potential for sport success. This is because gross motor skills underpin the development of the more specific sport skills that will likely be required for future sport success.The study aimed to assess fundamental motor skills in identifying differences in performance levels between students and athletes aged 10-12 years living in Albania, and further examine the indicators obtained in order to study how these two groups of children compare to each other. The data gathered through this study are indispensable in revealing the level of obesity, physical and technical capacities and identifying talented athletes. 641 students coming from the primary and secondary school systems and 410 athletes were subjected to standard anthropometric measurements (weight/height/BMI), standard physical fitness tests (push-up, abdominal press high jump, long jump, horizontal stretch, 30m dash, shuttle run 112 m) and technical measurements (Bridling, passing boll, Moving in defence and shooting) Based on BMI standards for students and athletes of this age group, it can be observed that athletes demonstrate a growth in body mass, even the physical fitness and technical indicators tested speak for a bigger development of athletes . Therefore, testing procedures should be expanded from only subjective measures of players’ abilities and objective tests of specific conditioning capacities to the objective assessments of technical capacities connected to the motor skills of individuals. This could then be used to select children at an age when the goal is to identify those talented in basketball.