Search Results (1,134)

Aim: Asprosin, a white adipose tissue-derived glucogenic adipokine, and spexin, a satiety-promoting neuropeptide, are dysregulated in obesity, yet their collective modulation by structured exercise and nutritional supplementation remains poorly characterized. This trial investigated the effects of 12 weeks of combined aerobic–resistance training, with and without taurine supplementation, on plasma asprosin, spexin, and body composition in obese men. Methods: Forty-four obese men (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) were allocated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, supplement-blinded design to control plus placebo (CON), taurine supplementation alone (SUP; 3 g/day), exercise plus placebo (EX), or exercise plus taurine (EX + SUP; n = 11 per group). The 12-week protocol combined aerobic training at 60% heart rate reserve (Karvonen formula) with progressive resistance training at 60% of one-repetition maximum, with load re-estimated every four weeks. Plasma asprosin and spexin were quantified by ELISA; body fat percentage (BFP) was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc correction and Cohen’s d effect size estimation were applied throughout. Results: Significant Group × Time interactions were detected for all five outcomes (all p < 0.05). EX + SUP generated the greatest reductions in plasma asprosin (Δ = −11.20 ng/mL, p < 0.001), body mass (Δ = −5.50 kg, p = 0.003), BMI (Δ = −1.80 kg/m², p = 0.002), and BFP (Δ = −4.90%, p < 0.001), together with the greatest elevation in plasma spexin (Δ = +0.29 ng/mL, p < 0.001); effect sizes were large across all EX + SUP outcomes (Cohen’s d = 1.17 to ≥1.87). CON showed no significant change in any variable (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Combined aerobic–resistance training with taurine supplementation produced statistically superior, large-magnitude improvements in adipokine regulation and body composition relative to either modality in isolation, demonstrating greater improvements in the combined intervention group compared with either modality applied independently. Given the per-group sample of n = 11, these findings should be considered preliminary and exploratory; independent replication in larger, adequately powered trials is required before any clinical translation can be considered. Full article

Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined associations between field bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-estimated body composition, handgrip strength, event-defined centre-of-pressure (CoP) variables, and short-range police precision-shooting accuracy. Methods: Fifty-seven Police Officer Training Course cadets completed body-composition assessment, handgrip testing, and five-shot Glock 19 pistol tasks at 5 and 7 m. CoP variables were extracted during an event-defined aiming phase and a fixed 1 s post-discharge phase. Results: Shooting accuracy was higher at 5 m than at 7 m (p < 0.001). Higher BIA-estimated fat mass percentage was associated with lower shooting accuracy at both distances (p < 0.050), whereas handgrip strength was not associated with accuracy. Compared with the aiming phase, the post-discharge phase was characterized by greater CoP velocity-related measures and lower CoP amplitude and displacement (p < 0.010); these phase comparisons should be interpreted with caution because of differences in phase duration. Associations between CoP variables and shooting accuracy were generally weak. Sex-adjusted exploratory fixed-entry regression models showed modest explanatory capacity after internal validation (5 m: adjusted R² = 0.281, LOOCV_R² = 0.240; 7 m: adjusted R² = 0.193, LOOCV_R² = 0.131). BIA-estimated fat mass percentage and AP peak velocity during aiming were retained across distances, but these model-based findings should be interpreted as exploratory candidate associations rather than stable predictors. Conclusions: These findings suggest that field BIA-estimated body composition and task-specific postural regulation may be related to police precision-shooting accuracy but should be interpreted as correlates rather than determinants of performance. Full article

Lower-limb strength asymmetries are common in handball players and may negatively influence athletic performance while increasing injury risk. This study examined the effects of a six-week unilateral compound training program on lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic strength, the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) ratio, body composition, and physical performance in competitive female handball players. Thirty highly trained female handball athletes (age: 18.75 ± 1.91 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 14) or a control group (n = 16). The experimental group completed a unilateral compound training program consisting of unilateral resistance and plyometric exercises three times per week for six weeks, in addition to regular handball training, whereas the control group continued regular training only. Before and after the intervention, participants underwent assessments of body composition, isokinetic knee strength, bilateral strength asymmetry, H/Q ratios, 20 m sprint performance, change-of-direction (COD) ability, countermovement jump (CMJ), and single-leg CMJ performance. Significant group × time interaction effects were observed for body fat percentage, muscle percentage, muscle mass, knee flexor strength (both limbs), left knee extensor strength, bilateral quadriceps and hamstring asymmetries, H/Q ratios, sprint performance, COD performance, CMJ height, and single-leg jump performance (p < 0.05); the interaction for right knee extensor strength did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.072). The experimental group’s improvements coincided with substantial reductions in quadriceps (13.19% to 7.60%; −42.38%) and hamstring (16.65% to 7.83%; −52.97%) asymmetries, alongside changes in H/Q ratios, isokinetic strength, sprint performance (−4.68%), COD performance (−5.91%), CMJ height (+12.56%), and single-leg jump performance (+11.42–18.36%; partial η² = 0.19–0.46 across these primary outcomes). Given the relatively modest sample size, these percentage reductions should be interpreted with appropriate caution, as they may be subject to overestimation. Because the experimental group received three additional weekly training sessions relative to the control group, the observed improvements cannot be unambiguously attributed to the unilateral training modality itself, as opposed to the additional training volume. These findings suggest that adding a supplemental unilateral compound training program to regular handball training may improve lower-limb strength asymmetry and neuromuscular performance. However, because the intervention also increased total training volume, these effects cannot be attributed exclusively to the unilateral training modality itself. Full article

(1) Background: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of health-related behaviors, including dietary habits and physical activity. This cross-sectional study examined the associations between participation in organized sports, nutrient intake, and body composition in a sample of Greek adolescents. (2) Methods: A total of 224 adolescents aged 12–18 years from schools in the Attica region, Greece, participated in the study. Physical activity and organized sports participation were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dietary intake was evaluated using three-day self-reported food records analyzed with Cronometer^® nutrition analysis software. (3) Results: Boys had higher fat-free mass and basal metabolic rate and lower fat-mass percentage than girls. Organized sports participation was common and differed by sex, with boys reporting higher participation and greater adherence to physical activity recommendations than girls. Organized sports participation was associated with differences in selected nutrient intakes, particularly among late adolescents; however, several differences were attenuated when nutrient intake was standardized per 1000 kcal, suggesting that part of the observed pattern may reflect differences in total energy intake. (4) Conclusions: These cross-sectional findings suggest that age-defined adolescent stage and organized sports participation are associated with differences in sports involvement, body composition, and nutrient intake among Greek adolescents; however, causal relationships cannot be established, and the findings should be interpreted as associations. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study describes body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), and dietary intake in pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation compared to healthy children. Methods: In this prospective observational study, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), fat mass index (FMI), fat mass percentage (FM%), and BMD, and a 4-day dietary record was used to assess dietary intake at 3 months and 1 year post-transplant. Healthy children were assessed once by the same methods. Results: We included 28 patients (mean 10.3 years, SD 4.0) and 50 healthy children (mean 10.0 years, SD 3.6). At 1 year, median Z-scores were lower for ALMI (−1.34 vs. 0.40, p < 0.001), higher for FMI (0.34 vs. −0.33, p < 0.012) and FM% (0.59 vs. −0.98, p < 0.001), lower for BMD total body less head (−1.0 vs. 0.3, p = 0.006), but similar for BMD spine compared to healthy children. At 1 year, 9/15 (60%) had ALMI Z-score ≤ −1, 6/15 (40%) had FMI Z-score ≥ 1, 5/15 (33%) had FM% Z-score ≥ 1, and 8/18 (53%) had BMD total body less head Z-score ≤ −1, and 3/15 (20%) had BMD spine Z-score ≤ −1. Dietary intake improved, and at 1 year, energy and protein intakes were comparable, fat, calcium, and vitamin D intakes were higher, but fiber intake remained lower in patients than in healthy children. Conclusions: Patients had a more unfavorable body composition and bone health. Dietary intake improved from 3 months to 1 year post-transplant. However, the results indicate a need for nutritional follow-up, particularly targeting protein, fat, fiber, calcium, and vitamin D. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence suggests that assessment of neonatal body fat mass (FM) may provide additional insight into the relationship between disrupted fetal growth and neonatal health outcomes. Our objective was to determine whether neonatal body composition parameters are associated with hypoglycemia, hypothermia, and respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of preterm neonates born at ≤37 weeks of gestational age. Body composition was measured in the first week of life with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results: We studied 101 neonates of mean gestational age 32.2 ± 3.2 weeks and mean birth weight 1792 ± 706 g. Neonates with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) had a significantly lower FM percentage (6.8 ± 3.6 compared with 8.3 ± 3.6%, p = 0.038), and higher free-FM percentage (93.1 ± 3.6 compared with 91.6 ± 3.4%, p = 0.041), compared with non-IUGR neonates. Compared with neonates with normal FM, neonates with decreased FM presented higher rates of hypothermia (35% compared with 9%, p = 0.005), hypoglycemia (46% compared with 9%, p < 0.001), and respiratory distress syndrome (58% compared with 27%, p = 0.008). Decreased FM percentage was significantly associated with hypoglycemia (OR 8.06, 95%CI 2.49–26.08, p < 0.001), hypothermia (OR 8.11, 95%CI 2.24–29.32, p = 0.001), and respiratory distress syndrome (OR 13.90, 95%CI 4.07–27.42, p < 0.001) after adjusting for gestational age, sex, and antenatal steroid administration. Conclusions: Lower FM percentage showed stronger associations with common neonatal morbidities, compared with standard anthropometric measurements alone. When a low FM percentage is detected, even when birth weight is normal, neonates at risk of undernutrition-related morbidity may benefit from closer nutritional and metabolic monitoring. Full article

(1) Background: The aim of the present study was to assess changes in body composition following a water lifeguard training course and to examine the relationship between body composition parameters and the effectiveness of mannequin towing using different towing techniques. (2) Methods: Thirty-one male participants (22.69 ± 3.35 years) completed pre- and post-course assessments, including body composition analysis and 50-m mannequin towing tests performed using three techniques: Two-handed back tow, Chin tow, and Sailor’s tow. Body composition variables included body fat percentage (BF%), fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), and total body water (TBW). Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate differences in towing performance and associations between body fat and towing time. (3) Results: No significant changes in body composition parameters were observed after the course (all pFDR ≥ 0.29). Towing performance improved significantly across all techniques (p < 0.001). A significant main effect of towing technique was detected by the mixed-effects model (p = 0.04), indicating overall differences among techniques. However, none of the post hoc pairwise comparisons remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Body fat percentage was not significantly associated with towing performance (p = 0.55), and no consistent relationships were found across techniques or timepoints. (4) Conclusions: Short-term lifeguard training improves mannequin towing performance primarily through functional and technical adaptations rather than changes in body composition. Technical proficiency and motor coordination may therefore play a greater role than somatic characteristics in young, trained lifeguards. Full article

Rs9939609 marker in FTO Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase (FTO) gene, rs7895307 in Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 (TCF7L2) gene, and rs75493593 in Solute Carrier Family 16 Member 11 (SLC16A11) gene have been associated with anthropometric, metabolic, and clinical variables, but have not been concurrently studied in Mexican children and adolescents with adiposity or mental disorders. In this cross-sectional association study, we genotyped these markers by means of TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction in two at-risk pediatric cohorts recruited in Mexico City. Group 1 (n = 175) comprised children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Group 2 (n = 296) consisted of non-medicated adolescents meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or a mood disorder. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index —BMI—, waist circumference, body fat percentage), metabolic indices (fasting glucose, lipid profile, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance), and psychiatric diagnoses were evaluated. In Group 1, the FTO A allele (genotypes AA/AT) was significantly associated with severe obesity according to BMI Z scores (p = 0.004, O.R. 3.33, 95% CI [1.42–7.77]), and it was a predictor of waist circumference (B = 6.16, 95% CI [1.78–10.55], p = 0.006) and muscle percentage (B = 4.21%, 95% CI [0.91–7.51%], p = 0.013) using linear regression models adjusted for age and sex. In Group 2, TCF7L2 AA genotype was associated with increased odds of depression (B = 0.83, p = 0.003, OR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.32–3.96]). While SLC16A11 G allele showed a possible association with insulin resistance or glucose levels, confirmation is needed. These exploratory results highlight the need for larger, well characterized cohort studies to confirm the associations. Full article

Background and Objectives: GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are effective weight-loss therapies, but data on body composition changes in pediatric obesity remain scarce. The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of GLP-1 RAs on body composition in children with obesity. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children with obesity evaluated at the National Institute for Mother and Child Health “Alessandrescu-Rusescu”, Bucharest, Romania, who initiated weekly injectable GLP-1 RA therapy (semaglutide) between January and December 2025. Patients were assessed at baseline and after a median follow-up of 5 months. Eight of ten participants with complete paired data were included in the final analysis; two were excluded because one was a non-responder with weight gain and suspected non-compliance, while one responder could not maintain the standing position for bioimpedance measurement. Bioimpedance analysis and anthropometry were performed at both visits. Paired data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Eight children (4 boys, 4 girls; mean age 14.9 ± 1.8 years) completed the study. Significant Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-score improvements were observed (CDC: −0.14, p = 0.012; WHO: −0.37, p = 0.012), with a median weight reduction of 4.75 kg (p = 0.036). While absolute muscle mass showed non-significant change (−1.3 kg, p = 0.362), predicted muscle mass percentage increased significantly (+1.9%, p = 0.012), suggesting selective fat loss. Fat-free mass percentage increased (+2.0%, p = 0.012) with reciprocal fat mass reduction (absolute: −3.85 kg, p = 0.017; percentage: −2.0%, p = 0.012). Fat-free mass index remained stable (−0.67 kg/m², p = 0.161). No serious adverse events occurred. Sensitivity analysis (n = 10) confirmed the robustness of the results, with improvements in BMI Z-scores remaining significant. Conclusions: In this preliminary pilot study, GLP-1 RA therapy in children with obesity was associated with significant improvements in BMI Z-scores and favorable shifts in body composition, consistent with selective fat loss and relative preservation of lean mass. These exploratory findings are hypothesis-generating and support the conduct of larger prospective controlled studies with body composition as a primary endpoint. Full article

Background: Image-based dietary assessment provides a more intuitive approach for nutritional monitoring and health management. However, in multi-category bowl-based meals, food boundary adhesion, spatial stacking, and staple-food occlusion by upper-layer dishes still affect the accuracy of volume, weight, and nutritional composition prediction. Methods: This study proposes a nutrition prediction method for bowl-based foods by integrating semantic segmentation, multi-view three-dimensional reconstruction, and occlusion compensation. The improved DBP-FDSNet was used to extract food-category masks from top-view RGB images, while detail enhancement, boundary-assisted supervision, and spatial position encoding were incorporated to improve the segmentation quality of food boundaries and adhesion regions. The visible food surface inside the bowl was reconstructed using a bowl instance model and RGB-TSDF-based multi-view fusion, and the two-dimensional semantic results were mapped into the height-field parameter domain for category-level volume integration. For partially occluded, severely occluded, or completely invisible staple foods, a layered compensation strategy was introduced to reduce staple-food volume prediction errors and the erroneous assignment of upper-layer food volume. Food weight and whole-bowl Calories, Fat, Carbohydrate, and Protein were finally predicted using food density and a nutritional composition database. Results: DBP-FDSNet achieved a meanIntersectionoverUnion ($mIoU$) of 80.51% and a BoundaryF1 Score ($bF1$) of 85.73%. At the whole-bowl level, the MeanAbsolutePercentageError ($MAPE$) values for Calories, Fat, Carbohydrate, Protein, and total food mass were 13.23%, 18.51%, 14.18%, 13.35%, and 10.85%, respectively. Conclusions: The method improves the stability of category-level volume and nutritional composition prediction in complex bowl-based meal scenarios, providing a feasible solution for image-based dietary assessment and intelligent nutrition management. Full article

Background: Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that often proves resistant to lifestyle measures alone. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), are reshaping treatment, yet prospective real-world data remain limited. Objective: To prospectively assess the effects of once-weekly Semaglutide on weight, body composition, and metabolic health in obesity. Methods: An exploratory observational study of 37 patients initiating Semaglutide (mean age 31 years; 11 children and adolescents; 22 females) was conducted. All met obesity criteria (baseline BMI 34.7 kg/m²). Anthropometry, bioimpedance body composition, and fasting biochemistry were obtained at baseline and 3 months. Variables were reported as mean ± SD or median (IQR) according to normal/non-normal distribution, whether a parametric test or a Wilcoxon one was used. Parametric or non-parametric paired tests (two-sided α = 0.05) were applied. We also explored tri-ponderal mass index (TMI, kg/m³) and its correlations with metabolic markers. Results: At 3 months, body weight decreased by a median 8.0 kg (p < 0.001), BMI by 1.6 kg/m² (p < 0.001). Body fat percentage declined: 43.4% to 42.8% (p = 0.009), with a small reduction in skeletal muscle mass (−0.6 kg; p = 0.035). Fasting glucose improved (p = 0.030) and HOMA-IR fell significantly. HbA1c changes were minimal, consistent with near-normal baseline values. Triglycerides decreased, while total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, liver enzymes, creatinine, uric acid, and 25-OH vitamin D remained stable. Baseline TMI (median 20.13 kg/m³; IQR 3.80) correlated strongly with HOMA-IR (r = 0.766, p < 0.001) and moderately-to-strongly with body fat percentage (r = 0.621, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, Semaglutide produced rapid, clinically meaningful improvements in weight, adiposity, and insulin resistance within 3 months. Findings suggest that Semaglutide may represent a promising adjunct to lifestyle therapy in obesity management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preterm infants have higher fat mass and lower lean mass at term-corrected age; however, whether these differences persist into preschool age remains unclear. This prospective observational cohort study aimed to compare body composition between very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm (gestational age < 33 weeks) children and their term-born counterparts aged 5–6 years. Methods: Anthropometric data, body composition, blood biochemical parameters, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR index) were compared between the preterm and term groups. Results: The study included 96 children (57 preterm and 39 term-born). Although lean mass index and fat mass index were comparable between groups, preterm children exhibited significantly higher insulin levels and HOMA-IR values after adjustment (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively). Within the preterm cohort, overweight/obesity was associated with higher trunk and total fat percentages, as well as higher HOMA-IR, compared with those of normal-weight or underweight children (all adjusted p < 0.001). Weight growth velocity from 2 to 5 years was positively associated with serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and both trunk and total body fat percentages. Additionally, girls in both groups displayed significantly higher trunk and total body fat percentages than boys. Conclusions: Children born very preterm with VLBW had higher fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR, despite generally comparable DXA-derived LMI, FMI, and fat distribution at preschool age. Overweight status and rapid early childhood weight gain may contribute to increased metabolic risk in this population, highlighting the need for early metabolic monitoring and growth management. Future large-scale, long-term studies are required to confirm these findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) is increasingly used for practical body composition assessment when dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is unavailable or impractical. However, MF-BIA estimates are device-, population-, and outcome-specific, and therefore require validation against reference methods under standardized conditions. This study examined the agreement, concordance, and systematic bias between a standing 8-point MF-BIA device and DXA-derived body composition estimates in apparently healthy Greek adults. Methods: A total of 1250 adults aged 18 to 80 years completed same-day DXA and MF-BIA (Charder MA801) assessments. Fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), body fat percentage (BF%), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass estimate (ASM) were compared between methods. Analyses were performed by sex and BMI category. Pearson correlations described association, whereas Bland–Altman analysis, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and proportional bias testing evaluated agreement and error magnitude. Results: MF-BIA showed strong associations with DXA-derived outcomes, but systematic bias was observed. When BMI categories were considered collectively, MF-BIA underestimated BF% by 3.59 percentage points in men and 4.25 percentage points in women, underestimated FM by 2.89 kg and 2.58 kg, and overestimated FFM by 3.09 kg and 3.29 kg, respectively. CCC was highest for FM (men: 0.913; women: 0.949) and lower for FFM and ASM in women (0.642 and 0.714, respectively). Proportional bias was observed for BF%, FM, and ASM in both sexes, and for FFM in women. Conclusions: The MA801 showed strong associations and outcome-specific concordance with DXA, but systematic bias and individual-level error limit interchangeability. Under standardized conditions, MF-BIA may support group-level or repeated same-device assessments but not precise individual-level assessment, clinical classification, or monitoring of small longitudinal changes. Full article

Aim: The aim of this study was to correlate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FTO and MC4R genes with body composition (BC) in populations with various levels of physical activity, and to investigate associations of SREBF1 methylation with the level of physical activity (PA) and BC. Methods: Fifty-six participants aged 18–65 years old with no underlying medical conditions were included in the study and were classified into sedentary/light PA (SLPA), moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) groups using the International PA questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric measures such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP) were recorded at the time of recruitment. Venous blood samples were collected during participant recruitment and DNA was extracted. Genotyping assays were performed for SNPs in FTO (rs9939609) and MC4R (rs17782313) using Taqman^® RT qPCR and TaqMan Genotyper software 1.7.1. Methylation analysis assay for CpG sites in the SREBF1 gene was performed on 56 samples using PyroMark^® Q48 Autoprep (Qiagen, Venlo, The Netherlands). The results were statistically analysed to identify any associations between FTO/MC4R genotypes and the level of PA, and between SREBF1 methylation status and the level of PA. This is the first study to investigate links between PA and quantitative methylation of SREBF1. Results: According to IPAQ guidance, the 56 participants were classified into SLPA n = 14, MPA n = 11 and VPA n = 31. The correlation analysis revealed that the FTO rs9939609 ‘A’ risk allele had a significant negative association with BFP in the VPA group (p = 0.0387); the MC4R rs17782313 ‘C’ risk allele had a significant positive association with BMI in the VPA group (p = 0.0256). In the SREBF1 pyrosequencing analysis, higher levels of methylation were observed in the VPA group (p = 0.07). Conclusions: We concluded that SNPs associated with obesity identified in FTO rs9939609 and MC4R rs17782313 could help to predict the molecular effects of PA. A high frequency of FTO risk variants in the cohort was observed and the VPA group could help maintain a healthy BFP. Full article

Background: Morphological characteristics influence physical performance in youth basketball, but their effects may differ by developmental stage. This study compared the predictive role of morphological variables on motor performance between U13 and U15 male players. Methods: Male youth basketball players (N = 89) were assigned to U13 and U15 groups. Morphological variables included height, body mass, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass (FFM). Motor tests evaluated squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10 m and 20 m sprints, T-test, Y-test and Stop-and-Go change-of-direction speed and reactive agility (RA). Pearson correlations and multiple linear regressions assessed relationships and predictive effects. Results: In U13 players, several morphological variables correlated with performance: height and FFM were positively related to jumping and sprinting, while body fat was negatively associated with most measures (p < 0.05). Regression models explained substantial variance in sprint (ranging up to _AdjR² = 0.44) and jump performance (ranging up to _AdjR² = 0.32), though individual predictors were not always significant (p > 0.05). In U15 players, fewer associations emerged as body fat remained a significant negative predictor of jumping and agility, and greater body mass was associated with improved sprint performance (p < 0.05). No significant morphological predictors were found for RA in either group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Morphological traits exert a stronger, multifactorial influence on performance in younger athletes, whereas body composition and particularly body fat are more influential in older adolescents. These results underscore the need to consider the developmental stage when assessing and training male youth basketball players. Full article