Values of special physical abilities, aerobic performance and playing skills of wheelchair basketball palyers according to disability, age, palying experience

Because of discussion among researchers and shortage of research works in respect of special physical abilities, aerobic performance and playing skills of wheelchair basketball players. There are actual and relevant scientific research analyzing these problems in aspects of players age, disability and time playing wheelchair basketball. Aim of the research was to determine and evaluate special physical abilities, the aerobic performance and playing skills of weelchair basketball players according to playing experience, age and disability. Goals of research : 1. To determine and evaluate physical features of weelchair basketball players according to playing experience, age and disability. 2. To determine and evaluate playing skills of weelchair basketball players according to playing experience, age and disability. 3. To determine and evaluate the aerobic performance and of weelchair basketball players according to playing experience, age and disability. By methods of testing and pedagogical observation 42 wheelchair basketball players participating in wheelchair basketball competitions were under research. Participants of the research were divided into different groups according to their age, disability and time playing wheelchair basketball. The following wheelchair basketball players participating in the research according to the International wheelchair basketball classification system were divided: eight 1-1,5 point players, fifteen 2-2,5 points players, 8– 3-3,5 points players, 11 – 4-4,5 points players. Basic tests of special wheelchair basketball skills were used (Skučas, Stonkus, 2001; Hedrick, Byrnes, Shaver, 1994). Research method — Constantly increasing continuous physical load have been applied to 21 wheelchair basketball player using an arm ergometer “Monark”. The wheel frequency was 70 times / min (rotations). The gas analyzer “Oxycon Mobile” was used during the physical performance to continuously register pulmonary ventilation, respiratory frequency, oxygen usage (VO2), the capacity of performance (W). Physical load was increased until maximal intensity zone. Thresholds and maximal intensity zones of power, maximal heart rate, VO2 values were determined. The results of research reveled that values of special physical abilities 1-1,5 point players were different in comparison with other groups. The best results of special physical abilities were achieved of 25-35 age group players and were depended of different time of playing wheelchair basketball. The best wheelchair basketball playing skills results achieved 3-3,5 and 4-4,5 points players groups. Age did not influencied wheelchair basketball playing skills of the players. Playing time of group 6-10 years and more most influence wheelchair basketball playing skills of the players. Investigation showed that the worst aerobic performance values were the players groups of 35-45 years old in comparison with other age groups. Playing time of group 6-10 years and more most influence values of aerobic performance