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Anthropometric Profile of Soccer Players as a Determinant of Position Specificity and Methodological Issues of Body Composition Estimation

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  • César Leão

    (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Sport and Leisure, Melgaço 4960-320, Portugal)

  • Miguel Camões

    (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Sport and Leisure, Melgaço 4960-320, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real 5001-801, Portugal)

  • Filipe Manuel Clemente

    (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Sport and Leisure, Melgaço 4960-320, Portugal)

  • Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis

    (Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Nikaia 18450, Greece
    School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo 12243, Greece)

  • Ricardo Lima

    (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Sport and Leisure, Melgaço 4960-320, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real 5001-801, Portugal)

  • Pedro Bezerra

    (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Sport and Leisure, Melgaço 4960-320, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real 5001-801, Portugal)

  • Thomas Rosemann

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Beat Knechtle

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
    Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was (a) to describe the anthropometric profile of a large group of soccer players based on different age groups and their playing positions on the field, and (b) to examine the variations of body composition among adult soccer players using diverse equations based on skinfold thickness. A total of 618 Greek soccer players who were grouped by age (i.e., 12–14, 14–16, 16–18, and 18–37 years) and playing position (i.e., goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward) were evaluated for weight, height, and skinfolds. The Pařízková formula was used to estimate the percentage of body fat. Furthermore, for players who were 18 years or older the Reilly and Evans formulas was used to estimate the percentage of body fat. Independent of the age, in this large sample, goalkeepers presented higher values for weight, height and the percentage of body fat estimation as compared with other field positions. An anthropometric pattern was observed in each tactical position, namely, across a specific age of increasing maturation process (14–16 years). With the Pařízková formula, we found a mean (SD) range of variation in the percentage of body fat estimation between 4.87 ± 1.46 and 5.51 ± 1.46 as compared with the Evans formula. The same pattern of differences was found when the Reilly equation was considered. In conclusion, we observed a position specificity of anthropometric characteristics across different age categories. Additionally, the same data supported different validated equations which resulted in large differences in the final outcome estimations.

Suggested Citation

  • César Leão & Miguel Camões & Filipe Manuel Clemente & Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis & Ricardo Lima & Pedro Bezerra & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle, 2019. "Anthropometric Profile of Soccer Players as a Determinant of Position Specificity and Methodological Issues of Body Composition Estimation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-10, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2386-:d:245868
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Stefania Toselli & Francesco Campa & Pasqualino Maietta Latessa & Gianpiero Greco & Alberto Loi & Alessia Grigoletto & Luciana Zaccagni, 2021. "Differences in Maturity and Anthropometric and Morphological Characteristics among Young Male Basketball and Soccer Players and Non-Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Marijan Spehnjak & Marko Gušić & Slavko Molnar & Mario Baić & Slobodan Andrašić & Musa Selimi & Draženka Mačak & Dejan M. Madić & Suzana Žilič Fišer & Goran Sporiš & Nebojša Trajković, 2021. "Body Composition in Elite Soccer Players from Youth to Senior Squad," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Diana García-Cardona & Patricia Landázuri & Oscar Sánchez-Muñoz, 2021. "Effect of a Shock Micro-Cycle on Biochemical Markers in University Soccer Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
    4. Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle, 2020. "Skinfold Thickness Distribution in Recreational Marathon Runners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-7, April.
    5. César Leão & Ana Filipa Silva & Georgian Badicu & Filipe Manuel Clemente & Roberto Carvutto & Gianpiero Greco & Stefania Cataldi & Francesco Fischetti, 2022. "Body Composition Interactions with Physical Fitness: A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    6. Francesco Campa & Analiza Monica Silva & Vincenzo Iannuzzi & Gabriele Mascherini & Luca Benedetti & Stefania Toselli, 2019. "The Role of Somatic Maturation on Bioimpedance Patterns and Body Composition in Male Elite Youth Soccer Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-11, November.

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