Power-speed abilities of younger junior basketball players: National team and club level

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect, investigate and compare the power-speed abilities of varying quality younger junior basketball players. The study was conducted on a sample of younger junior players (17 ± 0.5 years). They were divided into two groups: the 19 players of Serbian national team and 37 quality players of the same age who are not national team members. T-test (agility), three run tests (run at 10m, 10m from a flying start and 20m - acceleration/speed), and four vertical jump tests (the jump from crouch with hands on hips - SJ, jump squat with hands on hips - CMJ, squat jump with the swing arms - CMJZ and seven consecutive jumps with hands on hips - 7RJ were applied. Also, body height and body weight were measured, and body mass index was calculated. The results indicate that among the studied groups of players there was no significant difference in the expression of agility, speed and explosive power. There were significant differences in height and body weight in favor of the national team players, while the percentage of body fat don't differs.