Anthropometric and Body Composition Changes during Pre-Season of Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players According to Playing Position

Background: In professional soccer, body composition analysis is crucial to assess preparation and optimize performance. Different playing positions have different physical demands, which can lead to variations in body composition. However, there are few studies on women’s soccer that consider the p...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ramírez Munera, Marta, Arcusa Saura, Raúl, López Román, Francisco Javier, Victoria Montesinos, Desirée, García Muñoz, Ana María, Ávila Gandía, Vicente, Pérez Piñero, Silvia, Marhuenda Hernández, Javier
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM)
Repositorio:RIUCAM. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ucam.edu:10952/8192
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10952/8192
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Female soccer
Anthropometry
Bioimpedance
Performance
Descripción
Sumario:Background: In professional soccer, body composition analysis is crucial to assess preparation and optimize performance. Different playing positions have different physical demands, which can lead to variations in body composition. However, there are few studies on women’s soccer that consider the playing position. This study aims to fill that gap by examining position-specific differences in anthropometric and body composition characteristics among Spanish professional female soccer players at the beginning and end of pre-season. Furthermore, it investigates the possible changes during the pre-season period between positions and correlates the data obtained from anthropometric equations with bioimpedance (BIA) measurements. Methods: Thirty-four female soccer players: 8 midfielders, 12 defenders, 11 forwards, and 3 goalkeepers (age: 23.06 ± 4.29 years, height: 164.15 ± 5.84 cm, weight: 58.39 ± 6.62 kg, and ∑6 skinfolds: 74.57 ± 18.48 mm) completed the study that lasted 4 weeks (pre-season) where they were measured anthropometrically and by bioimpedance twice. Results: Goalkeepers showed greater wingspan (176.60 ± 7.06 p < 0.05) compared to other positions. Regarding differences during pre-season, midfielders had the greatest decrease in ∑6 skinfolds compared to other positions (∆ −12.10 ± 5.69 p < 0.05). There was a correlation of % fat between Faulkner’s equation and BIA (Pearson’s r = 0.817). Conclusions: It seems that there are no significant differences in terms of positions and body composition, except for the wingspan and ankle diameter. During pre-season, midfielders are the ones who improve their body composition the greatest. The anthropometric equation for body fat that shows the highest correlation with BIA is Faulkner’s equation, followed by Durnin’s equation.