@misc{10481/108024,
year = {2025},
month = {11},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/108024},
abstract = {Regular exercise during childhood is crucial for optimal growth. However, evidence on its long-term
effects on physical fitness, inflammation and metabolic status remains limited for this period of
life. To assess the longitudinal effects of a three-year basketball program on physical fitness, body
composition, metabolic and inflammatory markers in prepubertal boys. Seventeen boys (8–13 years)
participated in an after-school basketball program with 96 weeks of training across three academic
years. At baseline and follow-up, assessments included anthropometry, body composition measured
by bioimpedance, physical fitness using cardiorespiratory and strength tests, and fasting blood
biomarkers. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT07007624; 06/06/2025).
At the end of the program, body fat remained stable, while fat free mass increased in upper and
lower limbs (e.g., +1.5 kg in lower limbs, p<0.05). Physical fitness improved in endurance (Course
Navette: +4.2 min, p<0.01) and strength tests. Inflammatory markers showed elevations in PAI-1
(+86%, p<0.05), MCP-1 (+23%, p<0.01), IL-8 (+400%, p<0.001), and TNF-α (+98%, p<0.05), possibly
reflecting increased training intensity. Long-term basketball training improved physical fitness and
lean mass in prepubertal boys. However, the small sample size and absence of a control group warrant
cautious interpretation and underscore the need for further research.},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
keywords = {Sport},
keywords = {Childhood},
keywords = {Health},
title = {Changes in body composition and low-grade inflammation status in boys during a basketball afterschool program for three years},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-22628-5},
author = {Castro-Collado, Cristina and Jurado-Castro, Jose Manuel and Gil-Campos, Mercedes and de la Cruz Rico, María and Pastor Villaescusa, Belén and Quintana-Navarro, Gracia María and Llorente Cantarero, Francisco Jesús},
}