Abstract
Background: Our study aimed to analyze body composition and spiroergometric data of young (14-15 years) elite level ball sport players. We suggested three-ball sports (handball, soccer, and basketball) share common performance indicators, as rapid intermittent movements primarily characterize each ball sport. 
 Methods: We selected one-hundred and ten, handball (n=30), basketball (n=40), and soccer (n=40) players male and female from local clubs in Hungary. Seventy-nine males and thirty-one females participated in our study; their average age was 14.51 and 14.56, respectively. 
 They participated in laboratory testing; the protocol included a body composition analysis and spiroergometric tests. We measured body composition and physiological parameters utilizing an In Body 720 device and a standard Bruce treadmill protocol. Although we were aware of the Bruce protocol limitations in elite athletes, we choose this protocol as a safer alternative for younger inexperienced athletes. 
 Results and conclusions: We concluded that in young male soccer and basketball players, mean peak /load (W), peak/VE (l), peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), peak/VCO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml) data is a reliable indicator of the sport-specific performance. We may also suggest that in our male basketball and handball players' population, peak/Vtex (l) is the only variable, which is significantly different. Between groups of male handball and soccer players, peak/VO2/kg (ml/min) may be a valid performance indicator. Among female basketball and handball players, we found a significant difference in three performance variables: peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml).
Highlights
Our study aimed to analyze body composition and spiroergometric data of young (14-15 years) elite level ball sport players
As we priorly expected, selected body composition data (Table 3.) of ball sports, especially basketball and handball players, indicated a taller stature and leaner physique for all participants compared to their athlete counterparts participating in other sports (PÁPAI, 2003)
After reviewing the relevant literature, we may conclude that for younger 14-15 years old players, direct, laboratory-based examinations of maximal aerobic capacity provide a more accurate measurement of aerobic performance. It seems that in this population of male soccer and basketball players, mean peak /load, peak/VE, peak/Vtex, peak/VO2, peak/VCO2, peak/VO2/kg, and peak/ O2 pulse is a reliable indicator of the sport-specific performance
Summary
Our study aimed to analyze body composition and spiroergometric data of young (14-15 years) elite level ball sport players. Seventy-nine males and thirty-one females participated in our study; their average age was 14.51 and 14.56, respectively. They participated in laboratory testing; the protocol included a body composition analysis and spiroergometric tests. Results and conclusions: We concluded that in young male soccer and basketball players, mean peak /load (W), peak/VE (l), peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), peak/VCO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml) data is a reliable indicator of the sport-specific performance. Among female basketball and handball players, we found a significant difference in three performance variables: peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml)
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