Characterization of the biomedical and sports profile in professional football players

Abstract

Introduction: Characterizing athletes is essential. In professional football it is done, although not in a standardized way. This research is the first phase of an evaluation and monitoring model. Objective: To describe the profile of the variables of biomedical and sports control in a team of professional soccer players. Methods: Descriptive study in 32 soccer players. Variables were grouped in: 1) identification; 2) sports background; 3) anthropometry; 4) training monitoring; 5) strength; 6) GPS. Measurements were made according to standardized protocol. The means and standard deviations (SD), medians and interquartile range (IQR) and relative frequencies are presented. Analysis by playing position is carried out on key components. Results: The mean age was 24.0 ± 4.6. The time as a professional was 5.5 years. Ligament and muscle injuries were the most common antecedents with 31.5% and 22.9%, respectively; 71.0% occurred in competition. Goalkeepers and forwards had higher percentages of fat mass. Defenders and midfielders had the longest distances covered with 64.560 and 64.386 meters, respectively. Defenders and forwards reached the highest sprint frequencies (>27km /h). The greatest strength imbalances were recorded by goalkeepers (50% left knee), followed by 33.0% in midfielders. High heterogeneity was evidenced in creatine kinase (CPK) values. Conclusion: A standardized and interdisciplinary model allows determining nutritional status and antecedents, monitoring load and playing profile, evaluating imbalances and muscle overload markers; with a view to reducing the risk of injury and increasing performance.

Keywords

• anthropometry
• creatine kinase
• geographic information systems
• muscle strength
• soccer