Evaluation of Seasonal Changes in Fitness, Anthropometrics, and Body Composition in Collegiate Division II Female Soccer Players

Abstract

Peart, AN, Nicks, CR, Mangum, M, and Tyo, BM. Evaluation of seasonal changes in fitness, anthropometrics, and body composition in collegiate division II female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2010-2017, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate anthropometrics, body composition, aerobic and anaerobic fitness of collegiate Division II female soccer players throughout a calendar year. Eighteen (20 ± 0.9 years) National Collegiate Athletics Association division II female soccer players from the same team participated in the study. Anthropometrics and body composition variables were assessed in addition to the counter movement jump (CMJ), Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAT), and peak oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak). Data were collected over 5 time points: end of competitive seasons (ECS1 and ECS2), beginning of off-season (BOS), end of off-season (EOS), and preseason (PS). Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare test scores among all 5 data collection points. Where appropriate, Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to determine which points were significantly different. Hip circumference decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from EOS (98.47 ± 6.5 cm) to PS (94.46 ± 6.8 cm). Fat mass (12.73 ± 5.4 kg) was significantly different in ECS2 compared with BOS and EOS means (p ≤ 0.05) and percentage of body fat (%BF) (20.08 ± 5.44) significantly different in ECS2 compared with ECS1, BOS, and EOS means (p ≤ 0.05), whereas fat-free mass (FFM) was maintained from ECS1 to ECS2. Counter movement jump, WAT, and V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak performance did not significantly change from ECS1 to ECS2. Anthropometrics and body composition results are similar to previous studies measuring Division II to professional female soccer players. Counter movement jump results remained consistent and are comparable to results on Division I female soccer players. Coaches and researchers can use these data to help design and evaluate training programs throughout a calendar year.

A Longitudinal Prospective Study: The Effect of Annual Seasonal Transition and Coaching Influence on Aerobic Capacity and Body Composition in Division I Female Soccer Players

“…The reported differences in AC and BF% were based upon moderate and low effect sizes (0.53 and 0.10, respectively) in male professional soccer players that only occurred during the transition period (off-season/detraining period). Our sample, which included D1 female collegiate athletes, further differed from Miller et al and Pearl et al [3,5], who observed no differences in AC across the ATC in D1 collegiate athletes. Our results indicate a substantial seasonal transition influence on AC, with the largest effect size of 0.83 occurring from the post-season through the end of the pre-season (B1-B3), representing a >16% increase in AC.…”

“…The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of coaching facilitated seasonal variation throughout the ATC on AC with consideration of body composition in Division 1 female soccer players. Currently, there are four studies examining seasonal variation effect which lack a consensus on the longitudinal impact on AC and body composition [1][2][3]5]. Of the four studies, only Caldwell and Peters [1] and Tønnessen et al [2] reported significant differences in AC and BF%.…”

“…Current research on trained adult soccer players (age ≥ 18) suggests that body composition fluctuates [6] throughout the calendar year, while studies that include collegiate athlete populations indicate that the ATC does not have an effect on body composition [3,5]. Considering body mass is included in relative AC measurement (mL•kg −1 •min −1 ) [2,8,[15][16][17], changes in body composition can influence AC [14,23] measurement and performance.…”

“…Cumulatively, training volume, intensity, and frequency make up total training load, which influences adaptation. Training goals to affect adaptation are known to differentiate throughout the ATC with consideration of the competitive and off-season training [1][2][3]7], Current research on trained adult soccer players (age ≥ 18) suggests that body composition fluctuates [6] throughout the calendar year, while studies that include collegiate athlete populations indicate that the ATC does not have an effect on body composition [3,5]. Considering body mass is included in relative AC measurement (mL•kg −1 •min −1 ) [2,8,[15][16][17], changes in body composition can influence AC [14,23] measurement and performance.…”

Effect of small-sided games with manipulation of small targets on the perceived exertion and tactical and technical performance of college soccer players

“…For this reason, literature already reports some studies on this subject, highlighting the need to understand the effects of soccer training with this specific population. Studies conducted with college soccer have focused on issues related to the incidence of injuries 1 , biomechanical 2 , anthropometric 3 , physiological 4 aspects and in particular small-sided and conditioned games (JRCs), as these have been the subject of study due to their wide use [5][6][7] .…”