Body composition of young soccer players

• Published in: Annales kinesiologiae (Koper, Spletna izd.) Spletna izd.), 2023-04, Vol.13 (2), p.131-141
• Main Authors: Kovačević, Erol, Čaušević, Denis, Spicer, Seth, Kovač, Siniša, Doder, Ivor, Likić, Slavenko, Metikoš, Boris
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anthropometry; BMI; body fat; fitness; soccer
• ISSN: 2232-2620; 2335-4240
• DOI: 10.35469/ak.2022.367

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to examine and analyse the body composition of young soccer players across different age groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 126 young soccer players divided into age categories: U15 – 53 players (age=14.68±0.47); U17 – 51 players (age=16.47±0.50); U19 – 22 players (age=18.05±0.38). The subjects’ height was measured using an anthropometer, while their body composition was measured using the TANITA BC-420MA digital scale. Results: On average, soccer players in the U15 group had significantly lower body height, weight, body mass index and fat free mass than U17 and U19 players, but had a higher percentage of body fat (p < 0.05). In addition to the percent of body fat mass, which tends to significantly decrease with age, the results also demonstrate significant non-linear increases in body height, weight, and lean body composition concurrent with the players’ ages. Conclusion: These results indicate that younger soccer players have lower absolute values of morphological characteristics compared to senior players.