Sažetak

This research analyzed how morphological characteristics relate to physical performance in youth football players. Thirty-two male competitors aged 10 to 13 participated in the study. Anthropometric and tissue metrics evaluated were stature, total weight, body mass index (BMI), adiposity percentage (%BF), and skeletal muscle percentage (%MM). Physical performance was measured using linear speed runs (at intervals of 5 m, 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m), directional change capacity (T-test executed with and without a soccer ball), and lower-body reactive power (CMJ, CMJa, and SJ). Pearson’s bivariate correlations mapped the links between body composition and athletic output. The analysis revealed that skeletal height had a notable positive link with vertical leap height (r=0.438-0.548, p<0.05) alongside moderate negative associations with times over 20 m and 30 m (r=-0.324 to -0.352, p<0.05). Adiposity percentage displayed the most stable correlations with linear speed times (r=0.343-0.463, p<0.05), indicating that elevated body fat impedes acceleration. In contrast, muscle percentage positively supported vertical jump scores (r=0.378-0.451, p<0.05), and its negative links with sprint times showed that greater muscle development boosts performance over brief acceleration distances. BMI failed to yield meaningful relationships with the majority of the physical fitness tests.