This study investigated the influence of biological maturity status on anthropometric, body composition, and physical performance characteristics in elite youth male basketball players. A total of 140 players (15.12 ± 0.78 years) competing in national elite programs were categorized as early, on-time, or late maturers according to years from peak height velocity (PHV). Each participant completed a standardized testing battery including anthropometric assessments, body composition analysis (InBody 720), countermovement jump (CMJ) with and without arm swing, drop jump from 40 cm (DJ40), linear sprints over 5–20 m, and agility tests (t-test and Lane Agility). Between-group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests, while partial eta squared (ηp2) and magnitude-based inference (MBI) were applied to assess effect size and practical significance. Significant differences were observed across maturity groups (p < 0.05), with early maturers being taller, heavier, and more muscular than their on-time and late-maturing peers. Large effects were found for height (ηp2 = 0.667) and body mass (ηp2 = 0.455), and moderate-to-large effects for jump, sprint, and agility performance (ηp2 = 0.051–0.166). MBI results indicated that most differences between early and late maturers were “very likely” or “almost certain,” highlighting their practical relevance. These findings confirm that biological maturity substantially affects physical and performance profiles in adolescent basketball players and underscore the importance of maturity-informed approaches such as bio-banding and individualized training to ensure fair evaluation and equitable talent development in youth sport.

This longitudinal study aimed to examine the in-season variations in morphological, cardiorespiratory, muscular, and motor fitness components in junior male basketball players during an 8-month competitive season. Eighteen male basketball players (16.56 ± 0.90 years) were tested at three time points (T1, T2, T3). Assessed variables included body fat (BF), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), total body water (TBW), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), final running speed in the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT), maximum and average heart rate (HRmax, HRavg), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJmax), drop jump (DJ), 20 m sprint with 5 m and 10 m splits, T-test (TT), and Lane Agility Drill (LAD). Significant improvements were observed in body mass (T1–T3, p = 0.002; T2–T3, p = 0.039), along with reductions in BF (T1–T2 and T1–T3, p < 0.05) and increases in FFM and MM (especially T2–T3, p < 0.05). VO2max increased significantly from T1 to T2 and T3 (p < 0.01), while HRaverage decreased across all intervals (p < 0.001), and HRmax declined slightly from T1 to T3 (p = 0.031). VIFT improved significantly between T1 and both T2 and T3 (p < 0.001). Measures of explosive strength (SJ, CMJmax, DJ) and agility (TT, LAD) showed consistent improvement across the season (p < 0.001), with moderate gains from T2 to T3 (p < 0.01 for SJ). These findings suggest meaningful physical and physiological adaptations during the competitive season, highlighting the importance of structured and continuous training throughout critical phases of athletic development in junior basketball players.

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric and performance characteristics of U16 and U18 male basketball players to better understand post-peak height velocity (PHV) developmental differences. A total of 31 athletes from the local international basketball academy participated in the research—15 from the U16 category (15.25 ± 0.86 years) and 16 from the U18 category (17.46 ± 0.34 years). Measurements included body composition, sprinting (with and without the ball), agility, and jump performance. The results revealed significant between-group differences in most anthropometric variables (p < 0.001), including body mass, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, fat-free mass, total body water, and segmental muscle mass. However, there were no significant differences in body height and body fat percentage. Performance comparisons showed that U18 players outperformed U16 players in agility (p = 0.026), 10 m and 20 m sprints (p = 0.045 and p = 0.016, respectively), and 20 m dribbling sprints (p = 0.011), while no significant differences were observed in jumping ability. These findings suggest that physical maturation strongly influences anthropometric parameters and partially affects performance characteristics. The results highlight the importance of age-appropriate training strategies that consider biological development stages in youth basketball.

This study aimed to examine position-specific physical demands among elite U19 football players competing in a 4-3-3 formation, using data collected via STATSports GPS technology. A total of 23 players from a top-tier Bosnian club, FK “Sarajevo”, were monitored during 26 official matches in the 2024/2025 season. Match data included total distance, distance in six speed zones, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, number of sprints, maximum speed, and acceleration/deceleration events. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses revealed significant positional differences across all performance metrics (p < 0.05). Central midfielders (CMs) covered the greatest total distance and distance per minute, while side defenders (SD) and forwards (FWs) recorded the highest values in sprint distance, HSR, and sprint frequency. Central defenders (CDs) consistently demonstrated the lowest outputs in high-speed and sprint metrics. These findings highlight the distinct physical profiles required for each playing position in a 4-3-3 system and provide practical insights for designing position-specific training and load management strategies in elite youth football.

This study aimed to examine the habits, attitudes, and consumption patterns of food supplements (FS) among gym users in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with respect to gender, age, and training experience. Understanding these behaviors is essential given the rising global trend in FS use, often without professional guidance, which can have implications for individual health and public awareness. By investigating local patterns, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the motivations and risks associated with supplement consumption, contributing to evidence-based recommendations and policy-making in the field of fitness and nutrition. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from various fitness centers using an online questionnaire composed of 21 questions divided into three segments. A total of 614 participants (mean ± SD: 32.77 ± 9.82 years), including both male (67.8%) and female (32.2%) gym users, took part in the study. Results: Participants predominantly belonged to the 36–45 age group, with 70.0% (p < 0.001) reporting more than one year of regular gym attendance, and 40.4% indicating regular FS consumption (p < 0.05). Supplements were mainly used to support faster recovery (29.1%, p < 0.05) and muscle growth (25%, p < 0.05). Magnesium was the most commonly used supplement, equally favored across genders and age groups. Creatine, fish oil capsules, and multivitamins were also frequently consumed (p < 0.05). Self-prescription emerged as the predominant method of FS use (40.3%, p < 0.05), followed by advice from gym coaches (21.8%), with only 5.6% of participants receiving guidance from a nutritionist. Conclusions: The findings highlight a societal trend toward self-directed FS use, often influenced by informal sources, underscoring the importance of further research and the development of targeted, evidence-based educational strategies. Males reported higher FS consumption, with younger users more focused on muscle gain and older individuals prioritizing health maintenance. The reliance on non-expert recommendations raises concerns about the safety and effectiveness of FS usage in the fitness community.

The association between movement screening and physical fitness testing in athletes is conflicting, and therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between Functional Movement Screen (FMS) performance and physical performance in elite female youth football players. Twenty-two players from the national U16 team of Bosnia and Herzegovina underwent FMS and physical performance tests, including speed, agility, and jump assessments. Jump and speed performance score correlated well with ASLR, while the overall FMS score was not associated with any of the performance variables. These findings suggest that while certain movement patterns may impact athletic performance, the relationship between movement screening and physical performance is delicate. Coaches and practitioners should consider individual variations and sport-specific demands when interpreting FMS results in order to optimize and maximize athlete performance and reduce injury risks.

Sport, particularly in the realm of professional competition, is a domain of human endeavor that is increasingly dependent on the use of analytical statistical information. Consequently, mathematics and statistics are becoming increasingly crucial elements in sports. Although experts recognize the importance of analytics in women’s basketball, the literature addressing this subject remains limited. The objective of this study is to employ quantitative methodologies to discover prevailing patterns in global women’s basketball representation. The entities examined in this article were the games contested during the 2021 Olympic Games, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2023 continental championships. Two regression models were created for the research, using thirteen standard variables observed in the game. The evaluation of the regression model was conducted using the stepwise regression method, incorporating dimensionality reduction based on the outcomes of factor analysis. Among the 14 models that were observed, 13 of them exhibited strong and moderate linkages, while only 1 displayed weak connections and lacked statistical significance. The primary factors that account for the disparity between winning and losing teams in games are primarily associated with shooting accuracy toward the basket. When examining individual championships, the percentage surpassed 50% in all cases except for AfroBasket. However, when considering the overall results, the significance of shooting rose to 86%. The variable representing offensive rebound efficiency had a significant influence on the outcome, being present in all individual competitions, whereas defensive rebound efficiency was only considered in the overall results.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of five weeks detraining period on body composition changes in elite professional Indonesian male soccer players. Material and methods. The body composition of 24 top-level male soccer players (age: 26.33 ± 4.06 years) competing in First League of Indonesia was measured before and after the 5-weeks detraining period. Body composition variables, including body mass, body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and total body water percentage, were measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. The results. The paired samples T-test showed significant changes in the means of body composition variables for body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and total body water percentage. Mean values for body fat percentage increased during the detraining period from 10.87 ± 2.47% to 11.98 ± 2.75% (10.3%). A decrease in mean values for fat-free mass (61.34 ± 5.74 kg to 59.80 ± 6.22; 2.49%) and total body water percentage (from 65.13 ± 1.84% to 64.40 ± 1.99%; 1.12%) was observed. No significant changes occurred in body mass (from 69.05 ± 8.07 kg to 69.05 ± 8.48 kg; 0.04%) from initial to final testing. Conclusions. Since there was a significant difference in body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and total body water percentage% before and after detraining period., it is suggested that 5 weeks of detraining period.  for the professional soccer players may not be necessary, and the duration should be shortened to maintain body composition status.