Abstract

Introduction: Tennis players need a remarkable ability to accelerate and change direction, to brake, to hit the ball and to direct their game. Objective: To analyze the relationship between the ability to change direction with anthropometric indicators and body composition in young male tennis players Methodology: Cross-sectional study, with descriptive and correlational characteristics. Height, weight, skinfolds, perimeters were measured. Peak height velocity (APVC), skeletal muscle mass (MME) and body fat percentage (GC) were calculated. In addition, 505 with stationary start test (505) was used. Results: A significant association was found between the change of direction (test 505) and the GC (R2= 29%; p<0.01), in addition, for each increase of GC causes longer execution time of the 505 test (?= 0.04 s). In addition, 505 test showed association with triceps skinfolds (R2=18%; p<0.01) and medial leg (R2=22%; p<0.01). However, the MME, APVC, height and body weight do not show significant relationships with 505 test (p>0.05). Discussion: The results obtained prove that adequate levels of body adiposity can directly benefit movements with sudden changes of direction in young tennis players, which will allow them to move quickly around the court. Conclusions: the ability to change direction shows a better association with GC indicators. © 2025 Federacion Espanola de Docentes de Educacion Fisica. All rights reserved.