The aim of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric training on sprint abilities. Young basketball players (N=33, Age=15-16) from OKK "Stari Ras" and OKK "Novi Pazar" from Novi Pazar were divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG, n=16; BH=185.45±8.75cm; BM=76.87±11.51kg) with training experience (TE=4.69 ±1.40 years) and a control group (CG; n=17; BH=184.16±6.93cm; BM=76.87±11.51kg) with training experience (TE=5.53±3.18 years). The EG was made up of the players from basketball team OKK "Stari Ras", who in addition to basketball trainings also took part in plyometric training. The CG was made up of the players from basketball team OKK "Novi Pazar", who at that time only took part in basketball trainings. To assess their sprint abilities, three tests were used: Sprint Speed at 5m (S5m), Sprint Speed at 10m (S10m), Sprint Speed at 20m (S20m). The measurement was done with the help of the photocells "Microgate", a parameter which was monitored and the processed time was read in 1/100s. The experimental program lasted for 10 weeks (2x per week). To determine the effect of plyometric training on the sprint abilities of young basketball players, the analysis of covariance ANCOVA was used. The results showed that the EG group achieved significantly greater progress than the CG group on the tests: S5m and S20m. There was no difference between the EG and CG group on the S10m test. Based on these results we concluded that plyometric training has positive effects on the development of sprint abilities in young basketball players.

Background and Objectives: The immature skeleton in a pediatric population exposed to frequent physical activity might be extremely prone to injuries, with possible consequences later in adulthood. The main aim of this study is to present specific morphometric parameters and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphological changes of the knee and patella in a physically active pediatric population. Additionally, we wanted to investigate the morphological risk factors for patellar instability. Materials and Methods: The study included the MRI findings of 193 physically active pediatric patients with knee pain. The participants underwent sports activities for 5 to 8 h per week. Two divisions were performed: by age and by patellar type. We evaluated three age groups: group 1 (age 11–14), group 2 (age 15–17), and group 3 (age 18–21 years). In addition, participants were divided by the patellar type (according to Wiberg) into three groups. The following morphometric parameters were calculated: lateral trochlear inclination (LTI), the tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance (TT-TG), trochlear facet asymmetry (TFA), Insall–Salvati index, modified Insall–Salvati index, Caton–Deschamps index, articular overlap, morphology ratio and contact surface ratio. Results: We found a statistically significant association between patellar type groups in LTI (p < 0.001), TFA (p < 0.001), Insal–Salvati (p = 0.001) index, and Caton–Deschamps index (p = 0.018). According to age groups, we found statistical significance in the Caton–Deschamps index (p = 0.039). The most frequent knee injury parameter, according to Wiberg, in physically active pediatric patients was patella type 2 in boys and type 3 in girls. Conclusions: The MRI morphometric parameters observed in our study might be factors of prediction of knee injury in physically active children. In addition, it might be very useful in sports programs to improve the biomechanics of the knee in order to reduce the injury rate in sports-active children.

Basketball is a very active sports game with frequent changes of speed, a large number of jumps and active use of all muscle groups. The aim of this review is to identify, analyze and explain all significant components for the development of explosive power in basketball players. The results showed that despite the high coefficient, which is congenital, explosive power can be developed through well-organized training which should be conducted methodically, rationally and in a well-organized manner. For quality planning and programming of training for the development of explosive power, it is necessary to determine the methods and means of training, training load, as well as their schedule and frequency in the phases of sports preparation. The age of an athlete stands out as the most important factor of individualization. It is necessary to give high attention to the training of explosive power because it is an effective means that contributes to the efficiency of the basketball player.

Plyometric training involves the use of exercises in which the actual muscles after eccentric contraction become concentric. The aim of this narrative review was to determine the significance and role of plyometric training in basketball, ie this review aimed to determine the influence of plyometric training on the explosive power, sprint, and the change of direction speed of basketball players. The results of this review indicate that plyometric training is an effective method that has a positive effect on short-term maximum performance in basketball. However, some studies have indicated that the effect may be absent on sprint and change of direction speed in basketball players. The general factors of application of plyometric training are age, warm-up, exercises, performance technique, equipment, and surface. The effects of plyometric training can vary depending on factors such as athlete's level, gender, sports activity, duration, type of plyometric training. Therefore, further original studies are needed, in order to further clarify the effect of plyometric training on short-term maximum performance, especially on sprint and change of direction speed of basketball players.