Applied Sciences (Jun 2024)
Body Composition and Physical Performance by Playing Position in Amateur Female Soccer Players
Abstract
This study analyzed differences in body composition, jump performance, running speed, and ball-kicking speed according to playing position in amateur female soccer players. This cross-sectional study involved 160 females distributed into groups of goalkeepers (n = 20), defenders (n = 38), midfielders (n = 52), and forwards (n = 50), with a mean age of 27.1 ± 3.23 years. They were assessed for body fat percentage (BFP), fat-free mass (FFM), squat jump, countermovement jump, drop jump (DJ), and running sprint speed for 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m, and ball-kicking speed (BKS) with both feet. Significant differences were found between groups in FFM (F(3,96) = 17.4; p = 0.000) and BFP (F(3,96) = 7.00; p = 0.000), with a higher FFM in midfielders with respect to goalkeepers (p = 0.00; ES = 1.77; ∆ = 27%), defenders (p = 0.00; ES = 2.14; ∆ = 26.5%), and forwards (p = 0.00; ES = 1.13; ∆ = 15.8%), and a lower BFP in midfielders with respect to goalkeepers (p = 0.00; ES = 1.41; ∆ = 26.7%) and forwards (p = 0.00; ES = 1.05; ∆ = 27%). In addition, significant differences were found between groups in DJ (F(3,96) = 20.8; p = 0.000), with midfielders achieving greater height compared to goalkeepers (p = 0.00; ES = 1.94; ∆ = 25.1%), defenders (p = 0.00; ES = 1.59; ∆ = 19%), and forwards (p = 0.00; ES = 1.73; ∆ = 16.3%). Significant differences were found between groups in BKS for dominant (F(3,96) = 5.84; p = 0.001) and non-dominant (F(3,96) = 3.29; p = 0.02) feet, and these were lower in goalkeepers than defenders (p = 0.00; ES = 0.99; ∆ = 8.83%) and midfielders (p = 0.00; ES = 1.21; ∆ = 11.8%). In conclusion, midfielders presented significantly better body composition and physical performance than other playing positions.
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