Luka Pezelj

Objectives: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become an increasingly popular conditioning strategy in women’s basketball due to its effectiveness in improving physical performance. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a six-week HIIT on combined aerobic and anaerobic capacity, running speed, agility, repeated sprint ability, and explosive power in elite female basketball players. Methods: Thirty elite female basketball players (21.81 ± 2.12 years) were randomly assigned to either a HIIT group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Results: Pre- and post-intervention assessments included running speed (0–20 m); the 5–0–5, Zig-zag, and Pro-agility tests; vertical jump performance (CMJ, CMJA, and SJ); repeated sprint ability (RSA); aerobic capacity assessed by the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test; and VO₂max. Statistically significant Group × Time interaction effects emerged for running speed (5 m, 10 m, and 20 m), aerobic capacity (30–15 IFT and VO₂max), and Zig-zag agility performance (p < 0.05), indicating greater improvements in the HIIT group compared with the control group. Significant main effects of time were observed for RSA and vertical jump performance, indicating improvements in both groups; however, no significant Group × Time interactions were found. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a six-week HIIT is an effective and time-efficient conditioning strategy for enhancing aerobic capacity, sprint performance, and change-of-direction ability in elite female basketball players.

The variables determining performance under different wind conditions in Olympic RS:X class sailors have not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between race performance (final ranking) and GPS-derived variables, including velocity made good (VMG), distance covered, and number of maneuvers, under different wind conditions in Olympic RS:X class sailors. Fifty-four Olympic RS:X class sailors (26 women and 28 men) who competed in a World Cup event were analyzed. Using GPS devices, the first-leg ranking, VMG, number of maneuvers, and distance covered in each segment (upwind, beam reach, and downwind) of every race were evaluated under three wind conditions (light wind: ≥8 to ≤12 knots; moderate wind: >12 to ≤15 knots; strong wind: >15 knots). A total of nine races were analyzed for both the men’s and women’s groups. For both groups and under all wind conditions, first-leg ranking was the variable most strongly associated with overall performance. VMG in upwind and downwind legs was among the most decisive variables in moderate wind conditions for both men and women. In strong wind conditions, VMG during the beam reach was a key variable influencing performance in both groups. In the women’s group, regardless of wind speed, VMG during the first upwind leg was the determining factor for achieving a better first-leg position. In the men’s group, particularly in medium wind conditions, a favorable first-leg position was mainly determined by VMG during the first upwind leg.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and small-sided games (SSG) are popular conditioning tactics in team sports, but their relative efficiency among female basketball players is uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effects of a six-week HIIT and SSG intervention on the physical performance of elite female basketball players. Forty-four participants (20.98 ± 4.58 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: HIIT (n = 14), SSG (n = 14), or control (n = 16). Pre- and post-intervention evaluations assessed sprint performance (0–10, 0–20, 0–30 m), agility (Pro-agility, Zig-zag, 9-6-3-6-9 tests), vertical jump height (CMJ, CMJA, SJ), repeated sprint ability (RSA), and aerobic capacity (VO₂max, VIFT, MAS). HIIT and SSG significantly improved all performance measures compared to the control group (p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.365–0.809); however, there were no significant differences between the two experimental groups. HIIT had a slightly greater effect on linear sprinting, but SSG was more effective for agility and aerobic performance. Body composition remained unchanged. These data suggest that HIIT and SSG are both effective training methods for improving speed, agility, explosive power, RSA, and aerobic capacity in female basketball players. Incorporating both strategies into an organized training program can improve sport-specific performance and overall conditioning.

Background: It is essential that the training of young water polo players aligns with didactic principles and the characteristics of growth and development. Despite this crucial fact, there is a lack of appropriate research. The aim of this article is to determine and explain the appropriate age to begin learning technical elements for defensive field players and goalkeepers in water polo, according to the opinions of water polo coaches. Methods: Twenty-seven water polo experts completed a questionnaire constructed specifically for this study. Test-retest reliability showed acceptable results (r between 0.85 and 1.00, with p < 0.05 for all variables). Results: Exploratory factor analysis using the Guttman-Kaiser criterion for selecting the number of factors and Varimax rotation indicated the existence of two distinct factors for the defensive technique of field players: (1) explosive and perceptive defensive activities; (2) static-repetitive defensive activities. Two distinct factors were also identified for goalkeeping technique: (1) basic goalkeeping technique; (2) advanced goalkeeping technique. Manifest space variability explained 41% and 31% of the variance for defensive technique of field players, and 45% and 44% for goalkeeping technique, respectively. Conclusions: The findings provide improved insight into water polo coaches’ perspectives on learning simple and complex technical elements in water polo and offer crucial guidelines for all training participants.

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient approach that has been recognized to enhance cardiometabolic health and aerobic capacity in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various HIIT durations on cardiometabolic health and aerobic ability in adolescent women aged 17 to 19 years. Methods: Participants were separated into two intervention groups: HIIT 1 (6 weeks) and HIIT 2 (8 weeks), along with a control group. Both HIIT regimens included two weekly sessions: warm-up (jogging, accelerated running, and dynamic stretching), major sets (2 × 6–9 bouts of 30 s training at 90–95% HR_max with active recovery), and cooldown. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included body mass, BMI, body fat percentage, lipid profile, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and VO_2max. Results: Both HIIT programs resulted in significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and body fat percentage (all p < 0.001), as well as improvements in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (all p < 0.001), compared to the control group. The changes in glycemia (p = 0.078) and HDL cholesterol (p = 0.825) were not statistically significant. Both HIIT groups showed significantly higher VO_2max (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adolescent women’s cardiometabolic health and aerobic capacity increased considerably following 6- and 8-week HIIT training. These findings emphasize HIIT as a practical and time-saving strategy for this population, highlighting its effectiveness in improving key health parameters within a relatively short period.

This study examined the relationships between lower-body power, linear speed, and change of direction (COD) speed in young elite volleyball players. A sample of participants (N = 36) consisting of elite male volleyball players (age: 15.44 ± 2.02 years; height: 180.83 ± 10.08 cm; weight: 70.38 ± 10.97 kg) was measured in jump performance, speed, and COD abilities. Jump performance was assessed via squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and CMJ with arm swing (CMJA), while speed and COD abilities were measured using 5 m, 10 m, and 15 m sprints, and the t-test, 9-6-3-6-9, and 505 agility tests, respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed powerful positive correlations among jump tests (e.g., CMJ and SJ: r = 0.955, p < 0.001), indicating a shared underlying construct identified as explosive power. Jump performance showed moderate to strong negative correlations with sprint times (e.g., CMJA and 10 m sprint: r = −0.675, p < 0.001) and COD times (e.g., CMJ and t-test: r = −0.618, p < 0.001), suggesting that greater power enhances acceleration and agility. Sprint and COD tests were strongly interrelated (e.g., 10 m sprint and t-test: r = 0.719, p < 0.001), highlighting their interdependence. These findings underscore the significant role of lower-body power in volleyball-specific movements, such as rapid sprints and directional changes. Practically, enhancing jump performance through targeted training could improve speed and COD abilities, aiding coaches in player selection and conditioning. Further research is needed to explore these relationships across diverse populations and over time.

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance and body composition in female basketball players. The review followed PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD420251006285). A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Nine studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed, with intervention durations ranging from 4 to 12 weeks. Despite differences in protocols, a majority of studies reported improvements in VO_2max (6/9), explosive strength (7/9), agility (5/6), and speed (5/6) and reductions in body mass and fat percentage (3/3). These findings highlight HIIT as an effective method for enhancing both aerobic and anaerobic capacities, as well as optimizing body composition. Despite variations in study protocols, HIIT consistently offers improvements in performance, irrespective of training level. The results underscore the importance of HIIT in preparing athletes, not only during the preseason but also throughout the competition period. Coaches should consider integrating HIIT into training programs, adjusting intensity and volume based on the season to optimize performance and prevent overtraining.

Setting up anthropometric profiles for elite athletes in each sport, sport discipline, or specific sport positions could be a key element of sport selection processes. The main purpose of this study was to determine the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and somatotype profiles of elite international ILCA 7 class sailors and to determine the differences contributing to different levels of competitive success. The subject sample included 97 elite ILCA 7 class sailors. A set of 25 anthropometric variables was applied. The sailors were divided into three groups according to their level of general competitive success according to the World Sailing Rankings. Differences between elite ILCA 7 sailors, separated into Higher, Medium, and Lower groups based on their success, were found in terms of age, body mass, muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, leg muscle mass, biepicondilar humerus width, sum of skinfolds, triceps skinfold, supraspinale skinfold, medial calf skinfold, and endomorphy rating. The most successful group of sailors was, on average, 4.9 years older than the least successful group. More highly successful sailors were also found to have an average of 2.73 kg more muscle mass but an 8.81 mm lower sum of skinfolds than those in the lower success group. Considering the average values of somatotype categories, ILCA 7 sailors fit the endomorphic–mesomorph somatotype category (3.23 ± 0.99–4.81 ± 0.90–2.25 ± 0.86). This research clearly identifies the anthropometric profile of elite ILCA 7 sailors, which can significantly contribute to a more informed choice of sailing class. Given the results of this research, current ILCA 7 sailors can easily compare their own anthropometric parameters with elite ILCA 7 sailors and eventually adjust their training process to obtain a more desirable anthropometric profile.

Determining the reference base of anthropometric parameters on a sample of elite athletes is one of the foundations of further research and forming a clearer picture of each sport and sports discipline. In this study, the aim was to describe the anthropometric and somatotype profiles of elite Finn class sailors and to determine the differences in the measured parameters between sailors at different levels of general competitive success. The subject sample included 57 Finn class sailors who competed at the open Finn European Championship. A set of 25 anthropometric variables were applied. The sailors were divided into three groups according to their level of general competitive success using World Sailing Rankings. Finn sailors had higher average values in almost all morphological characteristics when compared to the sailors in other Olympic classes. Considering the average values of somatotype categories, we determined that Finn sailors fit the endomorphic mesomorph somatotype category (3.94 ± 1.19 − 5.50 ± 1.19 − 1.63 ± 0.74). Significant differences were observed between more-successful, medium, and less-successful sailors in the variables of age, body mass, muscle mass, arm muscle mass, and endomorphy rating. These results indicate the possibility of selection processes and/or adaptation to sailing occurring in the Finn class. The anthropometric characteristics of Finn sailors compared to sailors in Olympic classes further “support” the Finn class being called the “heavy dinghy” male class. This study on anthropometric parameters, determined via a sample of top Finn sailors, may be of great help to coaches and young sailors when deciding on the selection of an adult sailing class.

The objective of this research was to analyze and elucidate the sagittal spinal posture status in older elementary school children, considering their gender and grade differences. The study involved 484 school children (252 males and 232 females) from grades V to VIII, assessed for sagittal spinal posture using the Formetric 4D System. The analysis, employing the Chi-squared test of independence along with the Z-test, did not reveal significant grade-related differences (p < 0.52) in the incidence of normal sagittal alignment or diagnosed outliers. However, within grade levels, no significant difference was observed for male participants (p < 0.80), while a significant difference was identified for females (p < 0.01). Examining gender differences across grades, a disparity was noted only among seventh graders concerning normal spine alignment and outlier existence (p < 0.01), favoring male participants. Regardless of the grade, a significant gender difference emerged in the location of diagnosed outliers: kyphosis (M = 108 vs. F = 72), lordosis (M = 5 vs. F = 14), kypholordosis (M = 18 vs. F = 66), and flatback outlier of the lumbar spine (M = 27 vs. F = 11). These findings suggest potential adjustments to the curriculum and highlight the need to tailor physical education instruction based on this study’s outcomes. Consequently, these results imply the importance of a differentiated approach in preventing sagittal plane outliers of the spine in adolescent children.