The aim of this study was to determine whether the dynamic motor stereotype of movement (shooting technique) is violated under conditions of an increased lactate concentration in a player's blood after a 30–15 intermittent fitness test. The hypotheses was that there would be statistically significant differences in ball speed and shooting accuracy in jump shots on the goal before and after the occurrence of fatigue in the player. The sample of respondents consisted of 10 top-level handball players of the highest competition rank in Croatia. The results showed significant differences before and after the fatigue protocol in the run-up speed (F = 5.66; p = 0.02), in the maximum speed of the forearm (F = 5.85; p = 0.02) and the hand (F = 4.01; p = 0.04), in the speed in the shoulder joint (F = 5.39; p = 0.02) and wrist joint (F = 4.06; p = 0.04), and in the ball shooting speed (F = 5.42; p = 0.02). The accuracy of the shot was, on average, lower (36.20 vs. 33.17 cm) but not significantly so. High blood lactate levels affect changes in certain kinematic parameters during the performance of a jump shot in handball. Consequently, this reduces the speed of the shot, which can affect situational performance as one of the two significant parameters of scoring success.

SUMMARYThe aim of our research was to determine differences in the anthropological profile of best Croatian basketball referees with regard to their chronological age. The study included 31 referees from the A referee list in the competitive season 2008/2009. In order to determine the statistical differences they were divided into two age groups; young (n = 16) including referees age 26-32 and older group (n = 15) including referees aged 33-46. Participants were tested on different variables for the assessment of motor and functional abilities and morphological characteristics. Also, in this research were included two variables called Quality of officiating and Experience. Data analysis was performed using the software package STATISTICA for Windows, 8 th version. For each variable basic descriptive statistical parameter was calculated. Analysis of statistical differences in the anthropological profile with regard to the chronological age of basketball referees was performed using t-test for independent samples. According to our results basketball referees differ only in the variables for the assessment of motor abilities, while there were no statistically significant differences in the tested morphological characteristics and functional abilities regarding referees' age. To conclude, investigated basketball referees were all well physically prepared, meeting high standards of physical conditioning-motor preparation needed for the basketball games of the highest national level.

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The aim of our research was to determine differences in the anthropological profile of best Croatian basketball referees with regard to their chronological age. The study included 31 referees from the A referee list in the competitive season 2008/2009. In order to determine the statistical differences they were divided into two age groups; young (n = 16) including referees age 26-32 and older group (n = 15) including referees aged 33-46. Participants were tested on different variables for the assessment of motor and functional abilities and morphological characteristics. Also, in this research were included two variables called Quality of officiating and Experience. Data analysis was performed using the software package STATISTICA for Windows, 8 th version. For each variable basic descriptive statistical parameter was calculated. Analysis of statistical differences in the anthropological profile with regard to the chronological age of basketball referees was performed using t-test for independent samples. According to our results basketball referees differ only in the variables for the assessment of motor abilities, while there were no statistically significant differences in the tested morphological characteristics and functional abilities regarding referees' age. To conclude, investigated basketball referees were all well physically prepared, meeting high standards of physical conditioning-motor preparation needed for the basketball games of the highest national level.