Sex moderated effect of body composition indices on change of direction speed mediated through a linear speed in team sport athletes

Background and purpose Evaluation of body composition features have a place in sports practice. This study aimed to investigate the effect of body composition indices on change of direction speed  performance through linear speed ability. Material and methods The 20 m linear speed and agility t-test was performed, and body morphology was evaluated by the bioimpedance method. The body mass index, fat, fat mass index, and skeletal mass index were calculated. Results The gender moderation effect was confirmed, and mediation analysis was conducted separately for gender to investigate the mediation role of linear speed on the association between body composition indices and agility. The models included body mass index (Indirect Effect: b is 0.06; p is 0.030), fat mass index (Indirect Effect: b is 0.11; p is 0.040) and body fat percentage (b is 0.06; p is 0.037) for males and (Indirect Effect: b is 0.05; p is 0.046) for females were statistically significant. Conclusions These results suggested that subjects with higher values of indices based on body fat amount had worse change of direction speed  throughout weaker linear speed. Therefore, control of body fat level seems to be crucial in speed abilities shaping.