Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Young Football Players: Influence of the 20 mSRT Score and Maturational Stage

Samuel Manzano-Carrasco, Jose Luis Felipe, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez, Antonio Hernandez-Martin, Leonor Gallardo and Jorge Garcia-Unanue
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Samuel Manzano-Carrasco: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain
Jose Luis Felipe: School of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
Javier Sanchez-Sanchez: School of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain
Antonio Hernandez-Martin: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain
Leonor Gallardo: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain
Jorge Garcia-Unanue: Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the differences in physical fitness variables, body composition, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet according to the cardiorespiratory fitness and the maturational stage in young football players. A total of 194 male football players (aged 8–16) from three football sport schools participated in this study. Data on cardiorespiratory fitness (the 20-m shuttle run test), anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, respiratory capacity (forced spirometry), and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED questionnaire) were collected. Players were divided into two groups depending on their maturational stage (prepubertal n = 127 and pubertal n = 67). The results show a direct relationship between low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, as well as body fat and leg fat. Similarly, players with lower cardiorespiratory fitness presented higher values of handgrip strength in the prepubertal state. On the other hand, improvements in respiratory values were observed in the pubertal state with the rest of the parameters when the cardiorespiratory fitness was increased. Therefore, the promotion of recreational football that encourage and develop cardiorespiratory fitness is a key factor and can be used as an effective sport activity to promote physical fitness and healthy habits in children and adolescents as well as within the population that is already physically active.

Keywords: physical activity; soccer; health promotion; sport; children; adolescents; nutrition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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