THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE MORPHOLOGICAL STATUS , SITUATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND SPORT ACHIEVEMENT OF ELITE JUNIOR BASKETBALL TEAMS

The purpose of this research was to establish and explain the relations between the variables of morphological status and situation-related effi ciency of basic types of players on one hand and, on the other, the fi nal placement of top junior basketball teams in the competition. Based on the obtained results, we can assume that the morphological status of forwards and centres, unlike guards, distinguishes wellranked teams from the low-ranked ones in a competition. Thus, well-ranked teams, with relation to the low-ranked ones, have centres with marked longitudinality and forwards with less marked adiposity and greater voluminosity. Further on, on the sample of guards, we have established relations between the parameters of situation-related effi ciency and sport achievement on the level of statistic signifi cance (p<0.01). Well-ranked teams, in relation to the low-ranked ones, have guards with the ability of passing which is expressed through assists and realization abilities for two and three-point scores.


INTRODUCTION
Basketball is a game of habit and quick rotation (Winter, 1997).The effi ciency of resolving situations in team sport games depends on functional relations (the quality of cooperation) among the players within the framework of the selected tactical model of the team's playing and of the potential and actual quality of players (Trninić, 1996;Dežman, 1999;Trninić, Perica, & Dizdar, 1999;Trninić, Dizdar, & Dežman, 2000).The level of cooperation among the players in a certain team is likely determined by sport-specifi c personality features, by the quality of playing ers and their personal characteristics (Trninić, Dizdar, & Dežman, 2000;Dežman, Trninić, & Dizdar, 2001a;Dežman, Trninić, & Dizdar, 2001b;Trninić, Kardum, & Mlačić, 2010).At the same time, the team must be able to self-regulate regardless of the coach's feedback (Dežman, 1999;McGarry, et al., 2002;Lebed, 2006Lebed, , 2007;;McGarry, & Franks, 2007;Trninić, Papić, & Trninić, 2011).With regard to this, it is important to stress that adaptability of the tactics playing model is connected with the characteristics of the players of the entire team.We consider that a team with more universal (polyvalent) and multidimensional team players adapts faster and more effi ciently to the tactics playing model and to current relations in the game (Trninić, 2006;Perica, 2011;Perica, Trninić, & Jelaska, 2011).The performance effi ciency of a certain player and the entire team depends on mutual relations of internal and external variables (Dežman, 1999;Trninić, et al., 2010a;Trninić, Papić, & Trninić, 2011).Changes within the internal and external variables affect the changes in an athlete's performance and sport achievement (Dežman, 1999;Trninić, Papić, & Trninić, 2011).The basis of effi ciency which is most stable is physical structure (morphological variables) and motor and functional abilities (Dežman, 1988(Dežman, , 1999;;Erčulj, 1997Erčulj, , 1998)).With regard to this, an athlete's performance is immediately connected with morphological characteristics and motor and functional abilities of a player (Trninić, Papić, & Trninić, 2011).At the same time, morphological characteristics describe physical structure and infl uence the overall motor-functional and situation-related effi ciency of a basketball player (Jeličić, 2006;Trninić, 2006).Basketball requires optimal development of motor and functional abilities and morphological characteristics.It is manifested in situation-related effi ciency, particularly in high-intensity training and competition loads, in the state of fatigue and contact with an opponent as well as in the ability to maintain permanence of situation-related speed and agility in all the phases of the game fl ow (Trninić, 1995;Trninić, et al., 2010a).Therefore, here is an important question demanding a precise answer: how much and in what way do certain morphological characteristics affect the situation-related effi ciency in a basketball game and what is their relation to the team's placement in a competition?
We believe if one can answer the given question, then the process of sport preparation can be directed for certain types and sub-types of players (Jeličić, 2006).Thus, without knowing relevant morphological characteristics for certain types and subtypes of players, it is not possible to rationally manage the process of sport preparation.Further on, diagnosing the state of morphological characteristics enables not only to monitor the growth and development of a certain player, but also to direct him to a particular or multiple positions in the game as well as to monitor the changes in the process of sport preparation (Trninić, 2006).The basic aim of the research is to establish and explain the relations between morphological variables and parameters of situation-related effi ciency of basketball players in basic positions in the game and the sport achievement of the team.

Sample of entities
The research was done on the sample of 108 top junior basketball players, the participants of the 19th European junior Championship held in Zadar in 2000, who, on average, played minimally 8 minutes in a match and in more than 3 matches, and they were selected from 11 teams who played 46 matches.According to data obtained from the offi cial application forms for the tournament, the players were divided in 3 groups based on playing in a certain position: 42 players who dominantly play in positions 1 and 2 (guards), 26 in position 3 (forwards) and 40 players in positions 4 and 5 (centres).The average age of the basketball players was 17.8 (± 0.7σ).
All the respondents have given their consent to participate in measuring, based on the permission by FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball Amateur).

Variables to assess morphological characteristics of players
The sample of variables represented a set of 30 antropometric variables measured according to the protocol described by Medved et al. (1987), Ross and Marfell-Jones (1990), Mišigoj Duraković et al. (1995) and Norton et al. (2000).The measuring was done on the athletes' dominant extremities in accordance with previous researches in this domain (Medved, et al., 1987;Ross, & Marfell-Jones, 1990;Norton, et al., 2000).The variables were selected with the purpose of covering all hypothetical dimensions of the morphological domain with an equal number of measures (Kurelić, et al., 1975)

The fi nal placement of teams
The 19th European championship was held in 2000 in Zadar (Croatia).Twelve teams participated and played in 46 matches.In qualifi cations, the teams were divided in two groups, with six teams in each group.Five matches were played in each group according to single scoring system.The fi rst four teams continued the competition in quarter-fi nals, while the other four (the fi fth and the sixth teams in groups) participated in playoffs for ranking from the ninth to the twelfth place.The teams that played in quarterfi nals (knock-out system) played by the following system; the fourth team from group 1 played with the fi rst team from group 2 and vice versa; the second team from group 1 played with the third team from group two and vice versa.These were followed by semi-fi nal competitions organized in a way to avoid a semi-fi nal match between the fi rst and the second teams from the same qualifi cation group since, in theory, these might be the two best teams in the entire championship.The teams defeated in the semi-fi nal played for the third place, and the winners played in the fi nal and decided on the European champion.

Data processing methods
By factor analysis with varimax rotation of the coordinate system we established latent structure of morphological characteristics.The relations between morphological status and situation-related effi ciency indicators, and the fi nal team's placement in the competition have been determined by multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS
Table 1 presents the results of factor analysis by which we established latent structure of the morphological characteristics in top junior basketball players.We isolated 4 signifi cant factors which explain for 72% of variance.The fi rst one is longitudinal dimensionality factor (defi ned by the length of the bone system and by the breadth of pelvis -FLONGIT),  the second one is the sub-skin adipose tissue factor (defi ned by the measures of skinfolds girth -FPMT), the third one is the factor of absolute voluminosity and body mass (defi ned by circular measures, body mass and shoulder breadth -FVOLMT), while the fourth one is the transversal dimensionality factor (defi ned by measures of diameters of the joints system -FTRANSV).
Further on, table 2 presents results of the multiple regression analysis where we predicted placement in the competition by latent morphological variables on the sample of guards, forwards and centres.Unlike the players playing in the position of a guard, the morphological latent structure of forwards and centres signifi cantly explains for the criterion variable -placement in a competition.By predictor set of variables in forwards we explained for 55% and in centres for 34% of the criterion variance.
Table 3 presents the results of the multiple regression analysis -the prediction of placement in a competition by manifest variables of the situation-related effi ciency on the sample of guards, forwards and centres.We established relations between manifest variables to assess situation-related effi ciency and the fi nal placement for the guard position (66% of the totally explained criterion variance).

Latent structure of the morphological features
When comparing the obtained factors to the previous research fi ndings, we may notice the consistency of the obtained results.Compared to Kurelić et al. (1975) research, the difference is in the fact that in this research the longitudinal dimensionality of the skeleton is defi ned by pelvis breadth as well as by the factor of absolute voluminosity, which has been defi ned in this study by circular measures and shoulder breadth.The study of Strahonja (1978) lacks in the assessing transversal dimensionality factor.In their research, Momirović et al. (1987) isolated three latent factors whereas the third one was interpreted as volume and as transversal dimensionality of the skeleton in addition to mesomorphosis.Based on the research results, we confi rmed previous scientifi c knowledge which enabled us to use the obtained fi ndings in the purpose of explaining the infl uence of the morphological structure on the fi nal placing of a team in a competition.

The infl uence of the morphological structure on the fi nal placement in a competition
Despite the fact that the research of the morphological structure in all population groups is frequent in basketball (Cook, et al., 2004;Bayios, et al., 2006;Ostojić, et al., 2006;Abdelkrim, et al., 2010), previous researches have not focused on the infl uence of the morphological structure on the fi nal of team's placement in a competition.The reason may be sampling.Namely, conducting a complete anthropometrical measuring in all the players participating in a competition is rather a complex task.This study has done the exact thing which is presented in table 2. In the sample of forwards, the obtained results show a small quantity of sub-skin adipose tissue and greater voluminousity in well-ranked teams compared to the low-ranked ones.Therefore, low-ranked teams had forwards with a large amount of sub-skin adipose tissue.Further on, well-ranked teams in the competition had forwards characterized by a relatively small amount of sub-skin adipose tissue and less marked voluminousity.We identifi ed regression coeffi cient which was isolated and can be named as the non-adipose voluminosity factor.The observed morphological structure was characteristic for forwards in wellranked teams.We assume that non-adipose voluminosity gives the forwards the ability to outrun the opponent's defence players in the offence transition since in contemporary basketball, forwards are more of athletic types whose muscularity is evident from non-adipose voluminosity (Jeličić, 2006;Abdelkrim, et al., 2010).Further on, non-adipose voluminosity enables forwards continuous moving without the ball with the purpose of being free to receive the ball while in contact with a defence player.Physical structure of players in forward positions most probably enables effi cient playing in defence in inside and outside positions since it enables the utilization of the potential in the mentioned type of players.
It is important to stress that the well-ranked teams in the competition had centres with a more marked FLONGIT from the low-ranked teams.We may assume that skeleton longitudinality is one of the preconditions which enable the centres, regarding their role in the game, to perform tasks more effi ciently in the inside positions in the defence and offence phase.The range of specifi c motor knowledge and skills is the smallest in centres compared to guards and wing players.For instance, centres in an offence phase with two effi cient motor actions (next to the baseline and the middle of the key) can effi ciently outplay individual and team defence opponents (Trninić, 2006).We may assume that morphological structure is a more signifi cant predictor and a precondition for situation-related effi ciency in centres than in guards and wing players.

CONCLUSION
The study has been conducted to establish the relations between the morphological status variables and situation-related effi ciency in top junior basketball players on one hand, and, on the other, the final team's placement in a competition.We consider that identifying relations between morphological and situation-related variables in basic types of players, with relation to the placement of junior teams, gives information on the differences between certain types of players with regard to the sport achievement of the team.The obtained results coincide to a large extent with the research fi ndings in the domain of latent morphological structure.Based on the research fi ndings on the sample of guards, one can assume that latent morphological variables are not signifi cantly connected to the fi nal placement in a competition.Unlike guards, the morphological status of forwards and centres to a certain extent determines the fi nal placement in a competition.It is important to stress that low-ranked teams have forwards with marked adiposity and less marked voluminousity.At the same time, well-ranked teams, in relation to the lowranked ones, have centres with marked longitudinality.The obtained data evidently show there is no signifi cant connection between the situational effi ciency parameters and the fi nal placement in a competition for the type of players in the position of forwards and centres.Further on, we established relations between the situation-related effi ciency parameters for the players in a guard position and the fi nal placement in a competition.According to this, well-ranked teams, compared to the low-ranked ones, have guards with high realising abilities for two or three-point scores.We consider that the selection of players for forward and centre positions may partially be based on morphological characteristics, and for a guard position, on a large number of relevant sport-specifi c characteristics.We think that future studies should establish relations between the overall potential of certain types of players and their actual quality and the team's effi ciency in a competition.Moreover, this is because scientifi c approach to establishing relations between the potential and actual quality of certain type of players and the sport achievement of a team makes a precondition for rational direction and selection of players and is an assumption for understanding of the developing direction of certain players and entire teams.teams.Research fi ndings indicate that low-ranked teams in the competition had guards with a large number of missed three-point fi eld goals (SHOT3 -UN) and turnovers (TO) than the guards in low-ranked teams (Table 3).We must stress high signifi cant value of beta ponder (β = -0.82) in ASIST variable which confi rms their role of a playmaker in the phase of position and transition offence.Namely, the variable ASIST is a precondition for team game in the offence phase and immediately determines the collective situation-related effi ciency.This is in accordance with expert coaches and scientistpractitioners (Nikolić, 1993;Trninić, 1995Trninić, , 1996Trninić, , 2006;;Dežman, & Trninić, 2005;Wooden, & Sharman, 1974;Wooden, & Jamison, 1997;Wooten, 1992;Krause, 1998) whose opinion is that the fi rst guard must primarily be a realiser and a playmaker who brings decisions enabling the rhythm of shooting for the entire team.
The obtained results support the previous empirical research regarding the studied problem (Jeličić, 2006).It is important to stress that examined morphological features make a partial potential of athletes on one hand and on the other, that parameters of situation-related effi ciency make a partial indicator of the actual quality of a player, the playing and the team (Trninić, & Dizdar, 2000;Trninić, Dizdar, & Dežman, 2000).According to this, future guidelines for the research must comprise the connection between the relevant basic and specifi c anthropological characteristics and the actual player's quality in relation to a team's placement in a competition.Moreover, a complete approach, unlike the partial one, enables more adequate understanding and explanation of the mentioned connections.We consider an athlete's potential cannot be explained merely by morphological and motor-functional variables, nor can the actual quality of a player be understood and explained only by situation-related effi ciency parameters obtained in a match.According to this, it is essential to stress that potential and the actual quality of a certain player represent a whole which is substantially something more and something else than the sum of anthropological characteristics and the parameters of situational effi ciency.Thus, the explanation should be searched for in studying the relations between genetic potential, complete effi ciency of a certain player in the basketball game and the placing of a team in a competition.

Table 1 .
Factor analysis with varimax rotation -morphological variables -complete sample

Table 2 .
Multiple regression analysis -prediction of placing in a competition by latent morphological variables -the sample of shooting guards, forwards and centres Rsq-determination coeffi cient, p-signifi cance level, β-beta ponders of predictor variables, FLONGIT-longitudinal skeleton dimensionality factor, FPMT-sub-skin adipose tissue factor, FVOLMTvoluminousity factor and body mass, FTRANSV-transversal dimensionality skeleton factor Statistically signifi cant standardized regression coeffi cients are in bold letters.

Table 3 .
Multiple regression analysis -prediction of placing in a competition by manifest variables of situation-related effi ciency -the sample of shooting guards, forwards and centres