Body Composition in Elite Soccer Players from Youth to Senior Squad

Abstract

There is a strong relationship between body composition and performance in male soccer players. This study aimed to display an optimal body height and weight, and body composition profile of male soccer players for four competitive age groups. This cross-sectional study included four groups: U-15 (n = 152), U-17 (n = 154), U-19 (n = 61), and seniors (n = 27). Body height and weight were measured under standard conditions, and the bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) analyzed body composition. On average, soccer players in the U-15 group had significantly lower body height, weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, fat-free mass, total body water and basal metabolic rate than U-17, U-19 and seniors, but a higher percentage of body fat than U-17 and U-19, p < 0.05. In addition, the results show significant non-linear increases in body height, weight and body composition as the age of soccer players increases, with the exception of the percentage of body fat mass, which tends to significantly decrease with age. The main findings of this study are that body fat mass remains stable and similar across all age groups, including in the senior squad.

Body Composition Assessment and Mediterranean Diet Adherence in U12 Spanish Male Professional Soccer Players: Cross-Sectional Study

“…Other studies have demonstrated that body fat percentage has a significant and negative correlation with age [18,40]. Players from professional U15, U17, and U19 soccer teams had 12.9 ± 6.8%, 10.0 ± 3.6%, and 10.4 ± 3.9% body fat, respectively [18], a fact that also occurs in other sports (e.g., basketball) [41].…”

“…Other studies have demonstrated that body fat percentage has a significant and negative correlation with age [18,40]. Players from professional U15, U17, and U19 soccer teams had 12.9 ± 6.8%, 10.0 ± 3.6%, and 10.4 ± 3.9% body fat, respectively [18], a fact that also occurs in other sports (e.g., basketball) [41]. This fact would explain why our U12 players present a higher body fat percentage, perhaps because they had not fully matured to the point where adipose mass decreases and muscle mass increases [18].…”

“…Players from professional U15, U17, and U19 soccer teams had 12.9 ± 6.8%, 10.0 ± 3.6%, and 10.4 ± 3.9% body fat, respectively [18], a fact that also occurs in other sports (e.g., basketball) [41]. This fact would explain why our U12 players present a higher body fat percentage, perhaps because they had not fully matured to the point where adipose mass decreases and muscle mass increases [18]. However, when our results were divided by age group (8-10 and 10-12 years), this trend was not observed.…”

“…These results are in accordance with what was observed in higher categories (U14-U20) [21,43]; however, thanks to this study, it can be concluded that the anthropometric differences between field positions already exist from the lowest categories (U12). This outcome could be attributed to the fact that goalkeepers are subject to a lower metabolic rate than other players during games and training [18,44]. In addition, the tactical maneuvers performed by forwards result in high levels of energy expenditure [44].…”

“…Because it is a recent field of study, the data on nutritional and body composition characteristics through anthropometric measures of lower-level soccer players are scarce. There are enough anthropometric data in professional teams U13-U19 [18][19][20][21], but in lower categories, the anthropometric data are limited, especially when it comes to seeing differences between field positions [21]. In addition, to date, there are no data about adherence to the Mediterranean diet in U12 professional soccer players.…”