Assessment of Body Composition and Physical Performance of Young Soccer Players: Differences According to the Competitive Level

Abstract

Soccer is a multifactorial sport, in which players are expected to possess well developed physical, psychological, technical, and tactical skills. Thus, the anthropometric and fitness measures play a determinant role and could vary according to the competitive level. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify differences in body composition and physical performance between two soccer team. 162 young soccer players (from the Under 12 to Under 15 age categories; age: 13.01 ± 1.15 years) of different competitive levels (elite—n = 98 and non-elite—n = 64) were recruited. Anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, lengths, widths, circumferences, and skinfold thicknesses (SK)), bioelectrical impedance, physical performance test as countermovement jump (CMJ), 15 m straight-line sprints, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo), and 20 + 20 m repeated-sprint ability (RSA)) were carried out. In addition, Body mass index (BMI), body composition parameters (percentage of fat mass (%F), Fat mass (FM, kg), and Fat-free mass (FFM, kg)) and the areas of the upper arm, calf and thigh were calculated, and the Bioelectric Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) procedures were applied. In addition, a linear discriminant analysis was assessed to determine which factors better discriminate between an elite and non-elite football team. Many differences were observed in body composition between and within each football team’s category, especially in triceps SK (p < 0.05), %F (p < 0.05), and all performance tests (p < 0.01). The canonical correlation was 0.717 (F(7,128) = 19.37, p < 0.0001), and the coefficients that better discriminated between two teams were 15 m sprint (−2.39), RSA (1−26), suprailiac SK (−0.5) and CMJ (−0.45). Elite soccer team players present a better body composition and greater physical efficiency. In addition, BIVA outcome could be a relevant selection criterion to scout among younger soccer players.

Predictive Value of Repeated Jump Testing on Nomination Status in Professional and under 19 Soccer Players

“…Both of these predictors show the significance of anthropometrics and the dependence on the biological maturation, even though there is great heterogeneity in body size among elite soccer teams [ 4 , 28 , 29 , 40 , 90 , 91 ]. This is partly due to the playing position, as goalkeepers, central defenders, and central attackers tend to be the tallest and the heaviest players of a soccer team [ 5 , 71 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 ]. In addition, Gil et al [ 96 ] presented that besides the speed, aerobic capacity, and chronological age, height and size are also associated with predicting whether or not young soccer players (14–17 years old) will be successful or not as soccer players [ 96 ].…”

“…The physiological demands of soccer, as revealed by the related scientific research and notational analysis, involve high-intensity actions with short or long recovery periods as an integral part to soccer performance [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. It is postulated that elite soccer of 2030 will involve 40% more dense periods of high-intensity actions compared to 2012/2013 season [ 6 ].…”

“…One of the monodimensional predictors that is extensively used to access soccer related lower limb power is the vertical jump (VJ), with its variety of different types of jumps [ 5 , 55 , 56 ]. Vertical jump assesses the soccer functional performance and at the same time is used for fitness and talent selection [ 57 , 58 , 59 ].…”

“…As is evident from past research, one trial of the repeated vertical jump (RVJ), specifically the 15 continuous maximal CMJ test on individuals (age 18–30 years) from different multiple and/or individual sports, is adequate to obtain valid data of any measured parameters [ 68 , 69 ]. In addition, anthropometric characteristics may contribute to players’ future success [ 5 , 70 ], with central defenders and goalkeepers tending to be the tallest and heaviest players [ 24 , 71 ]. On top of that, the heavier and tallest players present higher scores in VJ performance [ 71 ].…”

Effects of Eight-Week Circuit Training with Core Exercises on Performance in Adult Male Soccer Players

“…As regards team sports, soccer has been classified as an intermittent sport that requests many types of physical abilities, such as strength, power, endurance, balance, and several coordinative and technical–tactical skills [ 22 , 23 ]. The CT and core exercises performed by soccer players showed several positive effects on static and dynamic balance [ 24 ], lower limbs strength [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], speed and agility [ 17 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], muscularity in the trunk and cross-sectional area [ 17 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 33 ], and flexibility [ 28 ].…”