Homosporticus

4 (19-22)

Authors: Mario Jelicic, Šime Veršić and Mario Mandir

Basketball requires a high level of athletic ability and optimal anthropometric dimensions crucial for achieving highly competitive efficiency. Studies have shown that in the selection process, great emphasis is placed on these dimensions of the anthropological status of basketball players. The main goal of this study was to determine the differences between basketball players of two age categories, more precisely juniors and cadets, in morphological characteristics and motor abilities. The sample of participants consisted of a total of 26 elite basketball players divided into two age categories, juniors (average 18 years old, N = 10) and cadets (average 16 years old, N = 16). The sample of variables consisted of morphological characteristics - body height, body weight, arm span, shoe size, and standing vertical reach with one and two arms, while motor abilities tests included measures of repetitive strength (push-ups, sit-ups), agility (20 yards, line agility), explosiveness (Sargent, chest ball throwing) and speed (sprint 5 meters, sprint 20 meters, sprint ¾ terrain). All data were descriptively analysed, and for the analysis of differences between the two age categories student’s T-test was used. The analysis of differences showed statistically significant age differences in morphological variables in body weight (t = 2.98, p = 0.01), shoe size (t = 2.11, p = 0.04), reach with one hand (t = 2.1, p = 0.05) and two hands (t = 2.32, p = 0.03). In motor abilities, differences were observed only in tests for explosiveness, in the Sargent test (t = 2.16, p = 0.04) and in throwing the ball from the chest (t = 2.42, p = 0.02). The results of this study showed that junior and cadet basketball players differ primarily in morphological dimensions and explosive power. It is obvious that young basketball players of cadet age are still in the phase of growth and development, and that coaches at that age should expect an increase in terms of longitudinal dimensionality and, concomitantly, body weight. Also, the differences found in the explosiveness of both the lower and upper extremities are probably due to the morphological dimensions but also to the systematic explosiveness training that begins in later puberty. Basketball coaches and staff should take this knowledge into account when selecting and programming training for individual age categories.

5 (10-14)

Authors: Lejla Kozica, Dina Kapić, Maida Šahinović, Eldan Kapur, Almira Lujinović, Selma Aličelebić and Esad Ćosović

Peripheral nerve injuries following paraneural anesthetic application may result in permanent nerve damage. Intraneural application is one of the main reasons these injuries occur, but nerve structure alterations were also reported after paraneural applications. Our aim was to determine the extent of the reactive changes of the connective tissue sheaths during paraneural application of lidocaine, since these changes represent important indicators of the actual magnitude of nerve damage. Ten male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the control (n=5) and the paraneural group (n=5). The sciatic nerves in the paraneural group were bilaterally operatively exposed. Lidocaine (2% ) was injected into the mesoneurium using an automated infusion pump (3mL/min). At the end of the experiment, a 1-cm long nerve tissue specimen was exised. Intact sciatic nerves of the 5 untreated rabbits served as control. Qualitative and quantitative histological analyses were performed. Proliferation of connective tissue of the epi-, and endoneurium, delamellation and thickening of the perineural lamellae, dilation of blood vessels and thickening of their endothelium were observed. The volume fractions of the epineural and the endoneural connective tissue of the paraneural group were higher than those of the control group. The endothelial cells of the endoneural and the epineural blood vessels were taller than those observed in the control group of animals. The perineurium was thickened. The paraneural application of lidocaine results in histological changes of the sciatic nerve connective tissue sheaths. Therefore, it is necessary to proper monitor the injection procedure in order to prevent nerve injuries.

5 (43-47)

Authors: Bjelica Dusko, Katanic Borko, Corluka Marin, Zovko Ivana Cerkez, Gardasevic Jovan, Pehar Miran

The problem of the growth of children is very current at a time, so it is extremely important to monitor the morphological and nutritional status of children. This study aimed to determine the differences in morphological and nutritional status of children in different regions in Montenegro. The research included a sample of 40 respondents, fifth-grade children from two primary schools belonging to different regions in Montenegro. Children attending primary school in Budva, Primorska region (n-20, 10,91 ± 0,33 years), and school in Nikšić, Central region (n-20, 10,83 ± 0,27 years). Morphological characteristics were assessed using a battery of four variables: body height, body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Body mass index was calculated, and then the children were classified according to their nutritional status. The significance of differences between children living in different regions was determined by a t-test for independent samples. The nutritional status of children indicates that 14 children (70%) from the coastal region belong to the group of normally fed, while six children (30%) are overfed. When it comes to the situation with children from the central region, the ratio of normally and overfed children is 15 (75%) to five (25%). The obtained results indicate that every fourth child is obese, as well as that children from coastal areas have significantly higher values in the two of five parameters body weight (,007), and higher body mass index (,026) compared to children from the central region.

6 (4-9)

Authors: Mario Jelicic, Toni Modric and Damir Sekulic

It is often hypothesized that in-season weekly distribution of external training load (ETL) is an important determinant of match running performance (MRP) in soccer. However, studies rarely examined associations between ETL and MRP including comparison of training days within weekly microcycles. This study aimed to (i) evaluate ETL of professional soccer players during the in-season, (ii) determine association between daily ETL and MRP. The ETL and MRP of professional soccer players (n=21) were measured by global positioning system during the trainings and matches in season 2020/21 of highest national soccer competition in Croatia. Variables included the total distance covered; the distance covered by low intensity running, running, and high intensity running; total and high-intensity accelerations; total and high-intensity decelerations. Differences in ETL among training days were analysed by repeated-measures ANOVA and Scheffe post-hoc. Pearson’s correlations were used to determine the association between ETL and MRP. Calculations were examined separately for each training session within in-season microcycles (categorized as days before the match day, i.e., MD minus). All ETL variables were significantly lower on MD-1 and MD-2 than on MD-3 and MD-4 (F-test: from 25.31 to 62.03; all p<0.01; all large effect sizes). Running, high intensity running, total accelerations and decelerations on MD-1 sessions were positively correlated with corresponding running performances from matches (all moderate correlations, p<0.05). This study demonstrated that training load one day before match may determine game pace of professional soccer players in the subsequent match.

6 (37-42)

Authors: Eldin Jelešković, Zana Bujak, Munir Talović, Haris Alić, Šemso Ormanović, Almir Mašala, Alen Ćirić and Berina Turković-Malkić

The aim of this paper is to evaluate management of human resources in state vocational sport federations, sport organizational efficiency, attachment, satisfaction and change of intentions of employees and determination of factors significant for achievement of strategic goals of vocational federations. Sample subjects of this study were 36 state vocational sport federations, which are members of Olympic committee of B&H and representatives of administrative apparatus of those federations. Modified set of variables Quansah, N., 2013. & Zubair, M. Tahir, Q., Muhammad, R., 2016.) for assessment of efficiency of management of human resources of state sport vocational federation, is made of 7 components (1. recruitment and selection; 2. compensation and benefits; 3. training and development; 4. employees’ engagement; 5. employees career planning; 6. evaluation of efficiency of employees; 7. protection of employees) and 33 variables, in total. Research data are collected by technique of questionnaire. Normality of distribution of data is tested by Kalmogorov- Smirnov test, while reliability of measure scale of researched variables is evaluated by Cronbach alpha coefficient. Keiser-Mayer-Olkin (.584) and Bartlett test of sphericity (.000) confirmed marginal level of benefits of main components and Varimax rotation and obtained number and structure of factors, which determinate level of organizational efficiency in state vocational sport federations. Gutman- Kaiser Criterion is used for selection of number of main components. Seven main components, which explain overall manifest area with 83,7% of common variance, are isolated by factor analysis, in analyzed area of active practice of management of human resources in sport organizations. Projection of factor load was above 60 and make criterion for selection of variables, which are the most representative for that factor. In this way, seven factors, which describe key activity of active practice of management of human resources, in analyzed vocational sport federations in B&H, are isolated and defined in the following way: F1. Planning of adequate competencies, evaluation and rewarding human resources in sport organization F2. Improvement of quality of work in sport organizations F3. Creating appropriate approach in rewarding and solving conflict F5. Positive organization climate and freedom of employees in their initiatives F6. Motivation of employees F7. Level of information of qualifications necessary for job application. All factors present elements, which are necessary in order for employees to be efficient in their work and to support the need for efficient usage of human resources and strategically adjusted business functions in order to improve business results and give competitive advantage. These factors can also help in organizations in achievement of defined strategic results and improvement of performances of employees and business results, as well.