Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate highly skilled basketball players’ physical development and to create their rating scale. The study included 32 Lithuanian basketball players, whose average age was 26.8 years. They represented the strongest clubs in the country and abroad. There were measured: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), the reaching height in standing position, hand static force: the right (R) and left (L), vital capacity of lungs, fat mass (kg) and they proportion (perc.) muscle mass (kg), fat and muscle mass index (FMMI). Mathematical statistical methods were used for the analysis of survey data for calculating indicators of arithmetic averages (X) and the determination of the confidence range (CR). Dispersion of indicators rated by the calculation of standard deviations (S) and coefficient of variation (V). Percentile rank (PR) investigated a range of differences in data were expressed as a percentage. Percentile rank indicates a value that is assigned and the percentage differs from the next rank. The median value is at 50th percentile and 10 percent, increasing or decreasing. Lithuanian basketball player average height was 182 cm. The confidence interval shown that the population average value of the potential height is between 179.4 and 185.8 cm. Average body weight in the experimental groups was 73.6 kg. Indicators of dispersion around the average was higher than the height, but it is assessed as the average V=12.35. Height and body weight ratio reflects well the body mass index. People in appropriate BMI are between 19 and 24. The scale that our target is between 10 and 90 percentile which means that the basketball player, and healthy people are close to the evaluation criteria. Specific and valid indicator of basketball players are the reaching height in standing position. Its average value is 237 cm. This indicator is the standard deviation of 14.9 cm, and represents only 6.3 percent, from the average. Hand force is a static anthropometric indicator variable not only depending on the physiological factors of growth but also on environmental conditions including coaching. According to the study, we can see that a very large hand strength when the player has reached 46 kg or more, and very little hand strength if the ratio is less than 32 kg. Right-hand power average was 39.4 kg and the left – 37.4 kg. These indicators are characterized by moderate levels of dispersion around the average. The CI range of vital capacity of lungs is between 4.6 and 4.8 l. Its dispersion is the average of the mean. Lithuanian basketball players average fat mass of 9.3 kg and 39.5 kg of muscle mass. The dispersion of the body fat mass was high, of the muscle mass – an average. Rank scale to FMMI rates of 3 to 5.6. Physical scale of development provides a sports science special knowledge. They enable a more appropriate assessment of anthropometric indicators and help to select young player in school groups and to predict their success in sports. Verf.-Referat