Association of basketball season with body composition in elite junior players

Aim. Body composition changes among elite athletes may influence competitive performance. This study aimed to characterize the body composition changes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole-body level of analysis in elite junior basketball players during the course of a season. Methods. Twelve males and 11 females (16 to 17 years) were evaluated. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess bone mineral (Mo) and lean-soft tissue (LST). Total-body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were assessed using isotope dilution techniques, and extracellular (ECF) and intracellular fluids (ICF) were calculated. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed with a four-compartment model. Body cell mass was calculated (LST - (ECF + ECS)). Skeletal muscle (SM) was estimated using appendicular LST (ALST) as: (1.19 x ALST) - 1.65. At the whole-body level, weight, sum of 7 skinfolds, and muscle circumferences (Mc) were measured. The handgrip and the countermovement jump tests were used for performance assessment. Results. Males increased FFM (4.4 +/- 2.3%), TBW (3.5 +/- 4.6%), SM (4.5 +/- 2.3%), and arm (3.4 +/- 2.7%) and thigh (3.8 +/- 3%) Mc. Females increased SM (5.9 +/- 4.6%) and arm (3.6 +/- 3.8%) and thigh (4 +/- 5.2%) Mc and decreased ICF (-9.7 +/- 13.6%). FFM components differed from the established values based on cadaver analysis. Both genders increased their performance and associations were found between changes in molecular and whole-body components with performance. Conclusion. In conclusion the season was associated with an improved body composition profile in males and few changes in females.