Speed-strength abilities and morphological characteristics of basketball players aged 10 and 11

The aim of this study was to identify several morphological characteristics and speed-strength abilities in basketball players aged 10 and 11, and to determine possible differences between them, connected with their age. The research was conducted on a sample of 84 young basketball players aged 10 (N=46) and 11 (N=38). The following motor variables were measured: shoulder explosiveness (throwing the ball from basketball position), leg explosiveness (vertical jump), speed strength of the trunk (sit up exercises in 10 seconds), stamina in speed strength of the trunk (sit up exercises in 30 seconds), the speed of changing the direction of moving (agility T-test), acceleration (running for 5 and 20 meters). The following morphological variables were also measured: body height, body mass, percentage of body fat and percentage of muscle tissue. Eleven-year-olds achieved better results than the ten-year-olds in all categories. Statistically significant differences (p<0.01) between the two groups of subjects were found in body height, percentage of muscle tissue in the body, shoulder explosiveness, as well as in the speed of changing the direction of moving. Differences in body mass and ability for acceleration were found on the level of statistical significance (p<0.05).