Effects of After-School Basketball Program on Physical Fitness and Cardiometabolic Health in Prepubertal Boys

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess changes in anthropometric measures, cardiometabolic markers, and physical fitness following a structured basketball training program in healthy prepubertal boys. Methods: The intervention consisted of a 6-week pre-season phase followed by a 32-week basketball training season conducted during the academic year. Training sessions were held three times per week at moderate to vigorous intensity, along with a weekly match. The participants were assessed at baseline, 6, 9, and 12 months. A reference group was evaluated at baseline for comparison. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT07007624). Results: Seventeen boys completed the program. Anthropometric assessments revealed increases in fat-free mass in the trunk and lower limbs, along with maintenance of an adequate BMI. After nine months, participants in the intervention showed significant improvements in fitness tests, including a 45% increase in Course Navette performance (p < 0.001), a 21% increase in horizontal jump performance (p = 0.001), and a 13% increase in abdominal test performance (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that a structured, school-based basketball program may enhance physical fitness and support healthy body composition maintenance in healthy-weight prepubertal boys.