## 2 Materials and Methods
### Physical Fitness Assessment  
The tests were performed in the following order: sit-and-reach test, back scratch test, long jump, medicine ball throw, counter-movement jump (CMJ), 20 m sprint and agility test (9-3-6-3-9). The test assessment was performed according to previously described protocols [32]. The order of the tests was selected according to the recommendations of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), which bases its recommendations on the fatigue generated by the different tests, as well as the metabolic pathways required by each of them, leaving a rest between trials of five minutes so that there was the minimum interference possible in the results [33]. In addition, the order followed in the tests has also been used in previous research in similar populations [34; 35]. First, before the warm-up, flexibility tests were performed [36]. This was followed by a standardized warm-up, consisting of 10 min of continuous running, followed by joint mobility and familiarization with the physical fitness tests. Two researchers with previous experience in the assessment of physical fitness tests oversaw the familiarization and assessment of these tests, with the same researcher being responsible for each test during all measurements in order to avoid inter-evaluator error in the assessments. Two attempts were made at each test, with a two-minute rest between them, and with the final value being the mean of the two trials.  
The sit-and-reach test was performed with the Acuflex Tester III (Novel Products, Rockton, IL, USA); the back scratch test was performed with a millimeter ruler (GIMA, Gessate, Italy); the long jump and medicine ball throw tests were performed with a tape measure (HaeSt, Wolfenbuttel, Germany) with a 0.1 cm accuracy; the CMJ was performed with a force platform (MuscleLab, Stathelle, Norway); the sprint test (20 m) was performed with MySprint (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA) [37]; and the agility test (9-3-6-3-9) was performed with five photocells (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy).  
To perform the sit-and-reach, the participants were asked to sit on the floor, without shoes, with the soles of their feet in contact with the measurement tool and their legs completely stretched. They were asked to move forward slowly while pushing the indicator of the measurement tool until they reached the maximum distance without bending their knees [36].  
For the back scratch test, the participants were asked to stand still and to perform a shoulder flexion and internal rotation with one arm, while with the other arm, they performed a shoulder extension with external rotation, trying to put the middle finger together in the back. The distance between the middle fingers or the overlap was registered for both arms [38].  
For the long jump, the participants were asked to stand behind the starting line and to perform a horizontal jump with both legs at the same time. Swinging the arms was permitted, and the distance between the starting line and the heel was registered [39].  
For the medicine ball throw, the players were asked to stand behind the start line, holding the ball with both hands. They were asked to throw the ball over their heads at the maximum distance possible, and the distance between the start line and the first bounce was registered [11].  
For the CMJ, players were asked to stand on the platform with their hands placed on their hips. They were asked to perform a maximum vertical jump without taking their hands off their hips, and the jump height and power were registered [11].  
For the sprint, the participants were asked to stand behind the start line and to cover the 20 m distance as fast as possible. The time was registered for each trial [39].  
For agility, the participants were asked to run nine, three, six, three and nine meters, changing the direction after stepping on each of the lines marking the distances as fast as possible. The time to complete the test was registered [35].