Body Composition in Elite Soccer Players from Youth to Senior Squad

Marijan Spehnjak, Marko Gušić, Slavko Molnar, Mario Baić, Slobodan Andrašić, Musa Selimi, Draženka Mačak, Dejan M. Madić, Suzana Žilič Fišer, Goran Sporiš and Nebojša Trajković
Additional contact information
Marijan Spehnjak: Archdiocese of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Gušić: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Slavko Molnar: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Mario Baić: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Slobodan Andrašić: Faculty of Economics, University of Novi Sad, 24000 Subotica, Serbia
Musa Selimi: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
Draženka Mačak: Archdiocese of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Dejan M. Madić: Archdiocese of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Suzana Žilič Fišer: FERI, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Goran Sporiš: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Nebojša Trajković: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

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.

Keywords: soccer; age; body size; body composition; reference intervals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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