RECORDING OF THE LEVEL OF SPEED IN 16-18 YEAR OLD BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of this study is to identify the level of speed of basketball girls in some sports associations of Tirana in Albania. During adolescence, several variables connected to growth and weight status could influence physical performance and technical skills. Speed is a main component in the sport of basketball as well as in sports games. Methodology: Total No. 80 female basketball players aged 16-18 from 4 sports associations of Tirana in Albania were included in the study. Those were evaluated in; age, Body Height (BH), Body Weight (BW) and BMI- kg/m2 . Physical performance was evaluated in T-Test and the Shuttle Run 10x5m test. Results: The obtained data were processed in Excel and comparisons were made between associations of study as well as between basketball peers. Statistically significant and positive correlations were found between and speed values between girls. Student’s t-test was used to compare the data collected in the two surveys and multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the effects of growth, weight status, and basketball experience on performance. Conclusion: Basketball experience was a significant predictor of all two speed tests. The results of the study showed the high practical importance of testing speed component of basketball player girls and the results indicate a lack of more specific training on speed. Body composition changes, years of experience, and weight status influenced physical performance especially speed.