(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.

Motor coordination has a crucial role in various physical activities and sports, highlighting its significance in overall movement proficiency and performance. This study aimed to compare motor coordination in children engaged in multisport versus swimming activities. The participants of this study included 180 boys and girls (girls = 87) aged 8.25 years ± 0.89. A total of three groups were included: group 1 consisted of inactive children, group 2 included children participating in swimming, and group 3 included children enrolled in multisport. Motor coordination was assessed using the Kiphard–Schilling body coordination test, evaluated by motor quotient (MQ): walking backwards, hopping for height, jumping sideways, and moving sideways. Additionally, a total motor quotient (Total MQ) was calculated based on the performance in all four tests. ANOVA revealed a significant difference in Total MQ and all subtests between the groups (p < 0.01). A significant difference in Total MQ was found not only between the inactive and multisport groups (Diff = 19.8000; 95%CI = 13.1848 to 26.4152; p = 0.001) but also between the multisport and swimming groups (Diff = 12.8000; 95%CI = 6.3456 to 19.2544; p = 0.001). In conclusion, the results revealed that children involved in multisport activities exhibited significantly better motor coordination compared to both the swimming group and the inactive group. Therefore, to enhance the growth of motor coordination abilities, it is crucial that parents, instructors, and coaches encourage kids to engage in multisport physical activities on a daily basis.

Background: Individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic control, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a promising exercise modality with potential benefits for both aspects in this population. Objectives: The primary aim was to investigate the effects of HIIT on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters in patients with T1DM. The secondary aim was to examine the most effective HIIT protocol for cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters in patients with T1DM. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources: Two major electronic databases (Web of Science and PubMed) were searched up to February 2024. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies: Randomized and non-randomized trials involving adult patients with T1DM, free of complications and other diseases examining the effects of HIIT (HIIT pre vs. post; HIIT vs. control group or HIIT vs. moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT)) on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters were included. Results: A total of ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness following HIIT interventions (pre vs. post) in patients with T1DM (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.16 to 1, p = 0.01). Furthermore, HIIT (pre vs. post) was associated with significant improvements in 24-h mean glucose control (SMD = − 0.44, 95% CI = − 0.81 to − 0.06, p = 0.02), but the results (pre vs. post) failed to identify significant improvements in fasting glucose (SMD = − 0.26, 95% CI = − 0.78 to 0.24, p = 0.3) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) values (SMD = − 0.28, 95% CI = − 0.61 to 0.05, p = 0.1). However, in comparison with a control group, HIIT showed significantly favorable effects on HbA1C (SMD = − 0.74, 95% CI = − 1.35 to − 0.14, p = 0.02). Finally, the meta-regression analysis did not find any moderating effect of any HIIT characteristics (i.e., intervention duration, session duration, work time, rest time, number of bouts, and intensity) on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters. Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis show that T1DM patients who performed a HIIT intervention significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced their 24-h mean glucose levels, but not their HbA1C and fasting glucose. These findings support the application of HIIT interventions in T1DM patients. However, the guidelines for the most effective protocol remain unclear; hence, future studies are needed.

(1) Background: Shooting performance is one of the most important determinants of basketball success and is strongly influenced by vertical jump performance. A lot of research attention has been paid to training programs that may improve the vertical jump. However, the literature regarding the improvement of accuracy during the jump shot is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the combination of two training programs on explosive power of the lower extremities during the made jump shot. (2) Methods: A total of 61 male basketball players were assigned into training group (T, n = 31, age 15.32 ± 0.65) which was conducting a specific, i.e., experimental training program, and control group (C, n = 30, age 16.3 ± 0.71 years) involved in a regular training program. The experimental training program included specific plyometric training with shooting training which lasted for 10 weeks. The obtained data were processed by nonparametric statistics to determine the differences in the vertical jump outcomes, as well as to determine the level of impact of the experimental training program. Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used. (3) Results: A significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) was noticed in the T group, in every vertical jump variable (flight time, height of the jump, power, and speed of the jump during a jump shot for two and three points), while there was no improvement within the C group. (4) Conclusions: The combination of plyometric and shooting training has a positive impact on the explosive power of the lower extremities during the jump shot.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the school-based exercise programs for promoting cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese children aged 6 to 10. Electronic databases (Web of Science and PubMed) were used as searching tools for collecting adequate studies published in the past 20 years. A total of 13 studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review, with a total of 2810 participants, both male and female. According to the results of this systematic review, overweight and obese children aged 6 to 10 who underwent certain interventions had their CRF improved. Furthermore, evidence suggested that interventions carried out during a longer period of time suggested led to greater improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness than a shorter one, but the level of cardiorespiratory fitness gradually decreases after the intervention.

Objectives: Elastic band training is a popular alternative to traditional resistance methods, but its effects on sport-specific performance in team athletes remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the efficacy of elastic band training on muscular strength, linear sprint, change of direction (COD), and jump height in team sport athletes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. The quantitative synthesis included studies comparing elastic band training interventions with control groups receiving routine training, habitual physical activity, or no additional resistance training intervention. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and a meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the pooled effect of the intervention on key performance indicators. A total of 729 athletes were included. Results: The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant positive effect of elastic band training on lower limb explosive power (SMD = 1.43, p = 0.01), change of direction performance (SMD = −2.54, p = 0.01), and sprint performance (SMD = −1.64, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Elastic band training is a highly effective and practical method for significantly improving key physical performance indicators, including explosive power, COD, and sprint ability, in team sport athletes. Its portability and adaptability make it a valuable alternative or complement to conventional resistance training.