Body Composition and Performance: Emerging Technologies and Innovative Nutritional Strategies for Athletic Development

Body composition is a key determinant of athletic performance and an essential parameter in the design of nutrition and training strategies. Traditionally, its assessment has relied on indirect and sometimes limited methods, including the use of body mass index. However, advances in sport science and nutritional research have introduced innovative technologies capable of providing more accurate and individualized insights into body compartments, hydration, and muscle characteristics. Techniques such as DXA, multifrequency BIA, ultrasound, 3D optical scanning, and digital monitoring tools are increasingly used to support evidence-based decision-making in athletic populations. These methods not only improve the precision of body composition analysis, but also enhance the ability to monitor physiological adaptations, guide personalized nutritional interventions, and optimize performance development. This evolving area represents a promising frontier in nutrition and human performance research.In alignment with the mission of the third edition of Nutrizione e Sport – Update in Nutrizione Sportiva, held under the auspices of the Campania and Molise Biologists Order, with acknowledgment of the Italian National Federation of the Orders of Biologists, this Research Topic seeks to explore how emerging technologies can improve body composition analysis and contribute to more effective, evidence-based strategies for optimizing athletic performance.This Research Topic welcomes contributions exploring innovative approaches to body composition analysis and their application in nutrition and performance development. The scope includes the use of emerging technologies to assess fat mass, lean mass, hydration status, muscle quality, and physiological adaptations in athletic and physically active populations. Particular interest will be given to studies investigating the integration of body composition assessment with personalized nutrition strategies, training optimization, recovery monitoring, and performance outcomes. Relevant themes include the validity and reliability of novel assessment tools, comparison between traditional and advanced methods, practical applications in sport settings, and the role of precision nutrition in athlete development. We welcome Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Narrative Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspective articles that provide innovative, evidence-based, and translational insights into this evolving field of nutritional and sport science. Topic editors: Francesco Campa, Nicolas Baglietto Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79750/body-composition-and-performance-emerging-technologies-and-innovative-nutritional-strategies-for-athletic-development