## 1 Introduction
These differences are currently evaluated either through anthropometric assessment and body composition analysis due to its ease of application and economy [24] in the prediction of sporting performance [8], or through physical tests in which aspects such as aerobic capacity are assessed. The following aspects are assessed for various reasons: aerobic capacity due to its importance in the resynthesis of phosphocreatine and lactate clearance of muscle activity; lactic anaerobic capacity due to the importance of developing the largest number of actions at maximum intensity for longer; the strength of the upper and lower body as disciplines that combine explosive movement structures that mostly end in jumping [25] as the main gesture of the rebounding or finishing action; the speed of movement concerning the importance of performing the greatest number of explosive actions with the greatest duration or intensity [26]; the repetition of efforts with incomplete recovery [27]; and agility as both disciplines require rapid movements in different directions [28] on a shared playing surface, either with different partners or with different opponents. Furthermore, although, to the authors' knowledge, there are review studies in both disciplines that analyze specific tests for each discipline, there are no studies that compare all these previously described abilities in both disciplines. In basketball, the importance of body size and proportions, particularly with regard to height, arm span, and leg length, is well-documented [29]. Thus, anthropometric characteristics were positively associated with rebounding and negatively associated with the frequency of missed balls [30]. [PERSON] et al. [8] indicated that some anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite female basketball teams are parameters related to performance. In volleyball, the aspects that mainly characterize players are jumping ability, power output, and strength [31]. Equally, anthropometric characteristics of athletes can influence the level of performance and help determine an appropriate physique for a given sport. The assessment of body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass) of athletes is one of the most valued aspects for checking fitness and physical condition, verifying the outcome of training programs and creating sport-specific profiles. In volleyball, numerous studies have addressed these issues [32; 33]. According to [PERSON] et al. [34], approximately 24% of volleyball players' attacking performance can be predicted by the linear combination of somatotype and muscle strength. [PERSON] et al. [35] showed that, in addition to skeletal dimensions, coaches should pay attention to body composition parameters, strengthening arm muscle mass and reducing fat mass, to achieve the player profile required in the highest divisions of volleyball for sporting success in this discipline. Although both sports are studied from kinanthropometric and conditional points of view, to the authors' knowledge, there are no previous studies that have compared both sports. Therefore, the main objectives of this research were (1) to determine the changes in anthropometric and body composition characteristics in elite female basketball and volleyball players over the course of a season, and (2) to establish possible relationships between these anthropometric measurements and different indicators of sporting performance.