Somatotype, Accumulated Workload, and Fitness Parameters in Elite Youth Players: Associations with Playing Position

Abstract

The purpose of this study was three-fold: (1) to describe anthropometric, maturation, and somatotype differences of players based on playing positions; (2) to analyze variations of accumulated load training (AcL) and fitness parameters between playing positions; and finally (3) to explain the variation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and peak power (PP) through the AcL, body fat (BF), maturity, somatotype and fitness levels. Twenty-seven male youth soccer players under-16 were divided by the following positions participated in this study: six central midfielders, four wingers (WG), five forwards, eight defenders, and four goalkeepers (GK). They were evaluated on two occasions: pre-season and after-season. Height, sitting height, body mass, BF, girths, percentage of BF (BF%), lean body mass, maturity, somatotype, sprint test, change of direction test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, Wingate, PP, VO2max and fatigue index were assessed. Then, AcL was monitored during training sessions. The main results revealed significant differences between player positions for maturity offset (p = 0.001), for BF (p = 0.006), BF% (p = 0.015), and lean body mass kg (p = 0.003). Also, there were significant differences for AcL and fatigue index in pre-season between player positions (p < 0.05). In addition, there were some significant differences in pre- and after-season for VO2max and PP between player positions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GK showed higher values in anthropometric, body composition variables and maturity offset compared to the other positions, while WG presented lower levels of BF. In pre-season, there were more differences by player positions for the different variables analyzed than after-season that reinforces the tactical role of the positions, and the emphasis in increased load in the beginning of the season. This study could be used by coaches, staff, and researchers as a reference for athletes of the same sex, age, and competitive level.

Influence of 2D:4D ratio on fitness parameters and accumulated training load in elite youth soccer players

“…Previous studies have reported high to very high correlations in fitness parameters with training load, as well as 2D:4D ratio with the aforementioned in youth athletes [ 19 , 31 , 34 , 37 ]. Therefore, the results were analyzed to obtain a sample size with at least 90% power.…”

“…Indeed, load variations over the weeks, can be particularly relevant in determining the effects of training on players’ performance [ 11 , 25 ]. Although the changes in fitness levels after a specific training period is relatively well-known for soccer players [ 29 , 30 ], the relationship between those changes and the accumulated load have been rarely studied [ 31 , 32 ]. To the best of our knowledge, only Clemente and colleagues [ 32 ] have analyzed the associations between accumulated external load and changes in body composition, isokinetic strength and aerobic capacity in soccer players.…”

Age-related differences in linear sprint in adolescent female soccer players

“…The age of peak linear growth (age at peak height velocity (APHV)) is an indicator of somatic maturity representing the time of maximum growth in stature during adolescence. Biological age of maturity (years) was calculated by subtracting the chronological age at the time of measurement from the chronological peak-velocity age [ 12 , 20 ]. Thus, a maturity age of -1.0 indicates that the player was measured 1 year before this peak velocity; a maturity of 0 indicates that the participant was measured 1 year after this peak velocity.…”

“…Any inappropriate stimulus could cause some alteration in the development of the adolescent and that is why, the training loads should adapt to the speed of subject’s maturation [ 23 ]. Several studies have observed the contribution of chronological age, biological maturation and anthropometric characteristics to sprinting performance in young soccer players [ 16 , 20 , 24 ]. For example, Malina et al [ 24 ] showed that height, body mass and maturity status are determinants of sprint-running performance.…”

Association Between Endocrine Markers, Accumulated Workload, and Fitness Parameters During a Season in Elite Young Soccer Players

“…Given the importance of physical fitness, training workload, and endocrine biomarkers in soccer performance (Nobari et al, 2021b , f ), it is necessary to understand better the concurrent effects of a season on physical and hormonal parameters for better management of training and competitive workloads. Hence, it was hypothesized that hormonal changes would exist among playing positions during a season, and these correlations would show that endocrines parameters are associated with fitness performance.…”