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This study aims to depict two-point and three-point shooting trends and explore their influence on game outcomes in the NBA across 40 consecutive seasons. Therefore, the following game-related statistics were considered: total points per game (PPG), games played (GP), field goals made (FGM), field goal attempts (FGA), field goal percentage (FG%), two-point field goals made (2PM), two-point field goal attempts (2PA), two-point field goal percentage (2P%), three-point field goals made (3PM), three-point field goal attempts (3PA), three-point field goal percentage (3P%), and a three-point field goal to two-point field goal ratio (3P/2P). The fixed-base indexes and inter-decade ANOVAs or Friedman tests were used as the main statistical tools. The number of 3PA significantly increased over time, while the number of 2PA decreased. A significant increase in 3P% was also observed, whereas 2P% remained relatively stable over the analyzed period. This study also revealed a higher number of ball possessions and more points scored per game, especially in the last decade of NBA competition.

The main aim of this study was to establish game-related statistics that determined sport results in the Basketball EuroLeague between 2003 and 2016. The study encompasses matches played by 10 teams during 13 consecutive seasons of the EuroLeague. Twenty-two offensive and defensive game related variables were registered. Calculations were performed to establish which of the variables determined performance in the Basketball EuroLeague matches within the analysed period. Based on a number of mathematical and statistical analyses, the elements of play that had the highest effect on sports success were selected. The following determinants displayed the most significant correlations with sport results in the EuroLeague within the analysed period: two-point shots made (2PT-made), two-point shot attempts (2PT-attempts), three-point shots made (3PT-made), one-point shots made (1PT-made), one-point shot attempts (1PT-attempts), assists, fouls and field goals made. The game outcome in basketball is influenced by many variables which may not always be significant in a given match. However, the continuous effort to maintain these variables at the highest possible level is advantageous over less-organised teams.

Anthropometric diagnoses predict the most appropriate on‐court position for a certain player and are important in the long‐term planning of basketball training programs. This study provides anthropometric characteristics and body composition profiles of Polish youth national team players (U‐14, U‐15, U‐16 and U‐18). The aim of this research was to determine the somatic characteristics of basketball players regarding particular on‐court positions. The sample population consisted of 109 elite basketball players, who played in national teams in four age categories: U‐14, U‐16, U‐18 U‐20. An analysis of the obtained results revealed differences between the younger (U‐14, U‐15 and U‐16) and older groups (U‐18 and U‐20) in terms of length, width and circumference measurements and body mass (3.6–9.3%), as well as subcutaneous fat measured by the skinfold thickness method (14.3–33.7%). ANCOVA with maturity offset as the covariate variable showed differences in body height (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.74) and the arm span (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.87) between each playing position; the somatic measurements were greater for centers than for forwards and guards, and the measurements were greater for forwards than for guards. The somatic feature measurements also increased linearly with age. We can conclude that the arm span and body height are two major somatic factors that can predict center and guard playing positions for national team basketball players in all age categories from U‐14 to U‐20.

The aim of this study was to evaluate somatic, hormonal and immunological changes during the macrocycle of cyclists (9 well-trained men, age 25.6 ± 5.2 years and body weight 72.4 ± 7.35 kg). During the training macrocycle, four exercise control tests were carried out, and biochemical markers were measured in the laboratory. Seasonal training changes did not significantly disturb resting somatic and functional parameters, physical capacity (VO2max), body weight, the number of leukocytes and selected hormones. The secretory system of the organism did not respond significantly to the exercise stress in the training process, even with the increasing share of anaerobic processes in the subsequent periods of the macrocycle. Irisin and other parameters globally did not correlate with training volume. Irisin showed a significant correlation only with cortisol in the first period and human growth hormone in the second, and it showed a weak correlation in the third period with body mass and BMI. The lack of interactions between irisin level and other variables practically excludes its use in monitoring cyclist training. Future research would be complemented by the assessment of stress and postexercise changes in the cyclists’ macrocycle and expanding the research group to other athletes, including women.

The aim of the study was to determine the full structure of passes during EuroBasket 2015 in the context of the execution technique, creating a passing lane, the movement of the players, the ball p...

Recently, low carbohydrate diets have become very popular due to their numerous health benefits. Unfortunately, little is known about their chronic effects on the blood lipid profile and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in athletic populations. We compared the results of a four week, well-planned low carbohydrate diet (LCD) followed by seven days of carbohydrate loading (Carbo-L) on fasting lipids - triacylglycerol’s (TAG), LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol (TCh), glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR levels in 11 competitive basketball players. During the experiment, we also measured body mass (BM) and body composition changes: body fat (BF), % of body fat (PBF), and fat free mass (FFM). Both diet procedures significantly changed the fasting serum concentration of TAG (p < 0.05) and body fat content (kg and %) (p < 0.05), without negative changes in FFM. The Carbo-L procedure increased (p < 0.05) fasting glucose levels significantly. A LCD may be suggested for athletes who want to reduce body mass and fat content without compromising muscle mass. Several weeks on a LCD does not change the lipoprotein - LDL-C and HDL-C level significantly, while a seven-day Carb-L procedure may increase body fat content and fasting glucose concentration. Such dietary procedures are recommended for team sport athletes to reduce fat mass, lipid profile disorders and insulin resistance.

The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis of the shooting structure in terms of the execution manner of the shots delivered during FIBA EuroBasket 2015 according to the footwork (one- or two...

The main goal of this study was to present a review of current knowledge and modern trends in periodization of the training process in team sports. The research objectives were: an analysis of various aspects of periodization of the annual training cycle for elite athletes practicing team sport games, an attempt to determine both the examined and unexamined issues related with periodization of training as well as to indicate directions for further research, and finally, presentation of different training loads and competitions in micro-, meso- and macrocycles. The research consisted of the analysis and generalization of the bibliography, methods of monitoring training and competition loads of the Polish national U17 female soccer team in the seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, as well as of the female basketball division one club in the season 2014/2015. Findings of the present study indicate resolved as well as unresolved aspects of annual training cycle periodization in team sport games and provide information on the types of training and competitive workload planning in micro-, meso- and macrocycles.

Post activation potentiation (PAP) has shown improved performance during movements requiring large muscular power output following contractions under near maximal load conditions. PAP can be described as an acute enhancement of performance or an enhancement of factors determining an explosive sports activity following a preload stimulus. In practice, PAP has been achieved by complex training, which involves a combination of a heavy loaded exercise followed by a biomechanically similar explosive activity, best if specific for a particular sport discipline. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PAP on performance in explosive motor activities specific for basketball, luge and athletics throws. The novel approach to the experiments included individualized recovery time (IRT) between the conditioning exercise and the explosive activity. Additionally, the research groups were homogenous and included only competitive athletes of similar age and training experience. Thirty one well trained athletes from 3 different sport disciplines participated in the study. All athletes performed a heavy loaded conditioning activity (80-130%1RM) followed by a biomechanically similar explosive exercise, during which power (W) or the rate of power development (W/s/kg) was evaluated. The results of our experiment confirmed the effectiveness of PAP with well-trained athlets during explosive motor activities such as jumping, throwing and pushing. Additionally, our research showed that eccentric supramaximal intensities (130% 1RM) can be effective in eliciting PAP in strength trained athletes. Our experiments also showed that the IRT should be individualized because athletes differ in the strength level, training experience and muscle fiber structure. In the three experiments conducted with basketball players, track and field athletes and luge athletes, the optimal IRT equaled 6 min. This justifies the need to individualize the volume and intensity of the CA, and especially the IRT, between the CA and the explosive activity.

The purpose of this study is to present a comparison of the workload demonstrated by young soccer players during the phases of warm-up (WU), first half (FH) and second half (SH) of a league match. Eleven young Polish soccer players took part in this research, playing a league match after completing the WU. During the WU, FH and SH of the match the following variables were recorded: total distance run, maximal and average speed achieved during the runs, number of sprints, distances run in the different speed zones, durations of increased heart rate (HR) in specific ranges, and the maximal, mean and minimal HR. The variables were recorded by means of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The research showed that there were significant differences between the WU, FH and SH in the total distances run (F=30.107, p0.001), the average speed achieved during the runs (F=37.731, p0.001), the distances run at different speeds (p0.001), the duration of increased HR in specific zones, and HRmean (p=0.002) and HRmin (p0.001). Post hoc analysis confirmed that, for the majority of the analyzed parameters, the WU provided a smaller load for the body than did the FH or SH, the intensity of which in some part was higher than that encountered at the anaerobic threshold. In conclusion, it has been shown that the WU and the two halves of the match load the body to varying degrees, the former doing so to a lesser extent than FH or SH.

The fifth part of the reviewed monograph entitled Macrostructure of the preparation process in athletes (pp. 375–484) is probably one of the most crucial to the book. Platonov presents in detail the following topics „Bases for year round periodization in a training process” (chapter 20), “Eastern European experience of year round periodization in a training process” (chapter 21), “American and Australian experience of year round periodization in a training process” (chapter 22), “Contemporary models of year round periodization in a training process” (chapter 23) and “Direct preparation for competition” (chapter 24).

The main goal of the present study was to identify basketball game performance indicators which best determine sports level in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league. The research material consisted of all NBA game statistics at the turn of eight seasons (2003-11) and included 52 performance variables. Through detailed analysis the variables with high influence on game effectiveness were selected for final procedures. It has been proven that a limited number of factors, mostly offensive, determines sports performance in the NBA. The most critical indicators are: Win%, Offensive EFF, 3rd Quarter PPG, Win% CG, Avg Fauls and Avg Steals. In practical applications these results connected with top teams and elite players may help coaches to design better training programs.

This research problem was indirectly but closely connected with the optimization of an athlete-selection process, based on predictions viewed as determinants of future successes. The research project involved a group of 249 competitive swimmers (age 12 yr., SD = 0.5) who trained and competed for four years. Measures involving fitness (e.g., lung capacity), strength (e.g., standing long jump), swimming technique (turn, glide, distance per stroke cycle), anthropometric variables (e.g., hand and foot size), as well as specific swimming measures (speeds in particular distances), were used. The participants ( n = 189) trained from May 2008 to May 2009, which involved five days of swimming workouts per week, and three additional 45-min. sessions devoted to measurements necessary for this study. In June 2009, data from two groups of 30 swimmers each ( n = 60) were used to identify predictor variables. Models were then constructed from these variables to predict final swimming performance in the 50 meter and 800 meter crawl events. Nonlinear regression models and neural models were built for the dependent variable of sport results (performance at 50m and 800m). In May 2010, the swimmers' actual race times for these events were compared to the predictions created a year prior to the beginning of the experiment. Results for the nonlinear regression models and perception networks structured as 8-4-1 and 4-3-1 indicated that the neural models overall more accurately predicted final swimming performance from initial training, strength, fitness, and body measurements. Differences in the sum of absolute error values were 4:11.96 ( n = 30 for 800m) and 20.39 ( n = 30 for 50m), for models structured as 8-4-1 and 4-3-1, respectively, with the neural models being more accurate. It seems possible that such models can be used to predict future performance, as well as in the process of recruiting athletes for specific styles and distances in swimming.

Recent data, especially related to the molecular structure of muscle tissue and the neurophysiological processes that control muscular speed and force have questioned the benefits of stretching exercises performed prior to dynamic physical activitiessuch as sprinting or jumping. On the other hand strength exercises withvarious types of muscle contraction and different training loads have proven effective in developing running speed and jumping performance. The present work attempted to verify the hypothesis concerning the detrimental influence of stretching on running speed and anaerobic power of lower limbs, while confirming the benefits of strength exercises on these motor abilities. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the short-term effects of stretching and strength exercises on running speed and jumping performance in competitive basketball players. The results showed significant changes in all of six variables used to evaluate lower limb power and running speed. Vertical jump performance showed increased tendencies in a microcycle without stretching, yet with strength exercises focused on lower limb extensors and flexors. Take-off speed, maximal jump height, work output and power during this microcycle were significantly higher in comparison to a weekly cycle were stretching was incorporated in the warm-up and prior to testing. In the case of running speed, the 3 treatments revealed significant differences, yet once again strength exercises compared to stretching allowed reaching of faster times for the 5 and 20 m sprint, respectively.

The main objective of the work was to present the practical application of a mathematical model to optimize sports training. From empirical data, collected during an experiment a mathematical model of sports training for young swimmers was created. The effectiveness of particular training means on sport results was evaluated. The research was conducted on a group of 20 youth swimmers aged 14±0,5 years, with an average body mass of 50,73±7,39 kg and body height of 164,2±8,12 cm respectively. The swimmers presented a high, national level of sports performance. The research allowed to draw theoretical and practical conclusions regarding the application of the mathematical model in sports training.

Lactate Threshold (D-Max Method) and Maximal Lactate Steady State in Cyclists The Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS) is defined as the highest workload that can be maintained over time where there is a balance between lactate production and lactate clearance. Therefore, determination of this workload is very importance for diagnosis of aerobic capacity and training program design. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of lactate threshold values determined by the D-max method as related to MLSS in cyclists. The research material included 10 female (body height 167±5.7 cm; body mass 56±4.8 kg; percent body fat 12.3±2.1) and 10 male well-trained cyclists (body height 183.5±4.4 cm; body mass 73.2±4.1 kg; percent body fat 7.9±2.6). The research had two distinct phases, separated by one day of active recovery. During the first phase, progressive tests were carried out to determine lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake in each subject. During the second phase, each athlete performed a series of 30-min ergocycle tests, with a fixed workload to establish maximal lactate steady state. Results showed no significant differences between lactate threshold workload (WRLT), determined by the D-max method, and maximal lactate steady state workload (WRMLSS) in female and male cyclists, expressed in absolute and relative values. Differences between male and female cyclists in absolute and relative values of WRLT, WRMLSS, and WRmax were significant (p