The aims of this study were (a) to identify and compare the speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players and (b) to investigate relations between speed and agility for both age groups of basketball players, to help coaches to improve their work. Sixty-four players aged 12 (M = 11.98 years, SD = 0.311) and 54 players aged 14 (M = 14.092 years, SD = 0.275) were tested. Three agility tests: agility t-test, zigzag agility drill, and agility run 4 × 15 m and 3 speed tests: 20-m run, 30-m run, and 50-m run were applied. Fourteen-year-old players achieved significantly better results in all speed and agility tests compared with 12-year-old players. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.81, p = 0.001) showed that 12-year-old players have the same ability in the 30- and 50-m runs. The other correlation coefficient (r = 0.59, p = 0.001) indicated that 20- and 30-m runs had inherently different qualities. The correlation coefficients between agility tests were <0.71, and therefore, each test in this group represents a specific task. In 14-year-old players, the correlation coefficients between the speed test results were <0.71. In contrast, the correlation coefficients between the agility tests were >0.71, which means that all the 3 tests represent the same quality. During the speed training of 12-year-old players, it is advisable to focus on shorter running distances, up to 30 m. During the agility training of the same players, it is useful to apply exercises with various complexities. In speed training of the 14-year-old players, the 30- and 50-m runs should be applied, and agility training should include more specific basketball movements and activities.

SUMMARY:The aims of this study were to detect biological maturity and certain athletic skills in boys aged 14 participating in competitive basketball, and to compare certain athletic skills of participants according to their biological maturity status. The participants were most talented Serbian basketball players (n= 49) who were divided into three groups according to their maturity status: early (n= 14), average (n= 24) and late maturing (n= 11). Biological maturity status of participants was assessed by technique developed by Mirwald et al. (2002). Nine tests of basic athletic skills: vertical jump, medicine ball throwing, run at 20, 30 and 50 m, agility t-test, zigzag agility drill, agility run 4x15 m, the line drill, as well as four basketball skills field tests (speed spot shooting, passing, control dribble and defensive movement) were applied. The results of this study showed that the three groups of subjects differed in applied variables (p <0.05). Average maturers achieved the best results in almost all variables, while late maturers achieved the worst results. Early maturers achieved the best results only in one variable -medicine ball throwing. Only harmonized chronological and biological age, i.e. chronological and biological growth and development, enable the best demonstration of motor abilities based on morphological characteristics.

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SUMMARYPrediction of final race time in slalom based on the time achieved in first and second race is a paper with a purpose and a primary goal to address the attention to relevant factors that determine final result in alpine skiing, and all that based on exact indicators gained under exact and strictly con� trolled rules of FIS. The mentioned example is about slalom discipline. Due to the fact that the result is a primary goal, the asked question is: Does the final result depend more on time achieved in first or in second race?Precise and direct answer is given in the conclusion of the paper. The conclusion is formed on the basis of precise results gained in the World Cup race. The race took place in Zagreb, Sljeme, 2010. Gained results indicate a conclusion that a total time in slalom is in a high positive correlation with achieved time in first race. Multiple correlation coefficient and multiple determination coefficient of first and second race compared to total time is high and statistically significant in example R = .67, R 2 = .45, p ≤ .001. Standardized predictive values of Beta in Table 7 give the right to conclude that achieved time in first race is more significant, or have more influence on the final result comparing to the time achieved in second race, in example Beta 1 = .55, and Beta 2 = .40. Assuming that general con� ditions of competitions are approximately same, the reasons of bigger influence of first than the second race should be looked for in tactics of coaches and competitors. The reasons for changing of tactics for the first and for the second race are determined by the FIS rules. Among other things, rules state that right for participating in second race have only first 30 participants from the first race. The natural conclusion is that the first race, or ride, is without any calculations and by principle "all or nothing". The tactic of second race is significantly different. The race must successfully end, even with risk of insignificant improve, or even failure. Of course, the weather can influence on better or worse result. In accordance with the law of possibility the influence of weather is evened, or annulled.

The aim of this survey was to examine the ability of acceleration and the agility of basketball players. The survey was conducted on a sample of 35 professional Bulgarian basketball players (average age 21.37 ± 2.91 years) who competed in the First Bulgarian Basketball League and were divided into two groups depending on the position of the game: inner players -N = 13 and outer players -N = 22. They were chosen by experts as the best national players in the league. Two tests were applied: 20 meter run (acceleration -T20m) and T-test (agility -TT). During the 20-meter run test, the running times of fi ve (T5m) and 10 meters (T10m) were measured. In addition, body height (BH) and body mass (BM) were measured. Inner players were signifi cantly taller and heavier than the outer players, but no statistically signifi cant differences were found between the two groups of players in the acceleration and agility variables, having in mind that on all the tests outer players achieved better results. High correlations were found between three acceleration variables (T5m, T10m and T20m) and one agility variable (TT) -correlation coeffi cients of .666 to .819 at the signifi cance level of .01.The correlations between body height and acceleration variables are medium -correlation coeffi cients of .306 to .383, at the signifi cance level of .05, while the correlation coeffi cients between body mass and these variables are slightly higher .350 to .415 at the signifi cance level of .01, or .05.

Research papers investigating the game-related parameters and phenomena of women's basketball matches are relatively smaller in size and number than similar ones treating the same issues in men's basketball -although, there have been some changes in that respect in recent years. This paper includes a sample of 40 games and thirteen variables of standard efficiency recorded at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017. The research had two basic models of regressions formed, i.e. an absolute and a relative one, each of which had total numbers scored as the dependent variable, and was performed by means of a regression and correlation analysis -a stepwise regression, as a gradual method of fitting regression models in order to define the predictive variables. The obtained regression models and partial correlation indicate that the winning or losing performance was heavily influenced by both field goal efficiency and defensive rebounding, all of which has been corroborated in many other similar research. Also, variables such as turnovers and personal fouls were extracted as significant in terms of the differentiation between the winning and losing team. When we take a closer look and see the observed parameters from the point of view of either First or Final rounds of the competition -since these rounds were played in different formats -it is noticeable that the difference is becoming more and more evident, of course besides shot efficiency, the efficiency of free throws and the quality of defense.

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Obesity prevalence and trends of PBF related to age were defined on a sample of 8100 people among whom, 4955 were male (Age = 31.2 ± 10 yr) and 3145 were female (Age = 32.1 ± 11.3 yr). Body structure measurements were performed using a standardized method of multichannel bioimpedance analysis (BIA), using a body structure analyzer -InBody 720. The total sample was divided into two subsamples according to sex, where every subsample was divided into five different age groups.The mean PBF values of the Male total sample were 18.2 ± 8.0 % and the female total sample was 28.3 ± 9.2 %. Results of Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA with Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner post-hock showed that there are statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between all age groups among themselves except groups 50 -60 and 60 -65 (p = 0.09). Analysis of obesity prevalence according to the PBF indicator in different age groups revealed the existence of statistically significant (p < 0.001) trends of increasing obesity with age, both in men and women. Based on the result of this study, it can be concluded that most of the Serbian working population are in the range of normal PBF values, excluding the male 30-39.9 yr and female 60-65 yr age categories as groups which are more prone to obesity levels.