The aim of the present study was (a) to describe the anthropometric profile of a large group of soccer players based on different age groups and their playing positions on the field, and (b) to examine the variations of body composition among adult soccer players using diverse equations based on skinfold thickness. A total of 618 Greek soccer players who were grouped by age (i.e., 12–14, 14–16, 16–18, and 18–37 years) and playing position (i.e., goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward) were evaluated for weight, height, and skinfolds. The Pařízková formula was used to estimate the percentage of body fat. Furthermore, for players who were 18 years or older the Reilly and Evans formulas was used to estimate the percentage of body fat. Independent of the age, in this large sample, goalkeepers presented higher values for weight, height and the percentage of body fat estimation as compared with other field positions. An anthropometric pattern was observed in each tactical position, namely, across a specific age of increasing maturation process (14–16 years). With the Pařízková formula, we found a mean (SD) range of variation in the percentage of body fat estimation between 4.87 ± 1.46 and 5.51 ± 1.46 as compared with the Evans formula. The same pattern of differences was found when the Reilly equation was considered. In conclusion, we observed a position specificity of anthropometric characteristics across different age categories. Additionally, the same data supported different validated equations which resulted in large differences in the final outcome estimations.

This study aimed to: (i) analyze fat mass and physical fitness variations among age-groups and playing positions, and (ii) explore the relationship between fat mass and physical fitness in youth male soccer players. A total of 66 players from under-16, under-17, and under-19 were tested. Body mass, skinfolds, countermovement jump (CMJ), single-leg triple hop jump (SLTH), bilateral triple hop jump (BTH), and yo-yo intermittent recovery Level 2 (YYIR-2) were assessed. A two- and one-way ANOVA were conducted, and the effect size was measured. Interactions were found in skin folds and fat mass. The under-19 group was taller, heavier, with a greater BMI and muscle mass than the under-16 group. They also exceeded the under-16 and under-17 in SLTH, BTH, and YYIRT-2. The under-17 group jumped higher and longer than under-16 group. Goalkeepers were taller and heavier than the midfielders. Central defenders were taller and had more muscle mass than midfielders and were heavier than the midfielders and wingers. The wingers jumped higher than the midfielders and showed better YYIRT-2. BMI was small correlated with YYIRT-2 and moderately with CMJ. Fat mass had a moderate negative correlation with CMJ and YYIRT-2. Muscle mass largely correlated with CMJ, UTH, very large with BTH and moderate with YYIRT-2. Summarily, with increasing age, better performances and body compositions were registered. Muscle mass better influences performance than body fat. Body composition can distinguish players positions.

Nutrition is an undeniable part of promoting health and performance among football (soccer) players. Nevertheless, nutritional strategies adopted in elite football can vary significantly depending on culture, habit and practical constraints and might not always be supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a group of 28 Portuguese experts on sports nutrition, sports science and sports medicine sought to discuss current practices in the elite football landscape and review the existing evidence on nutritional strategies to be applied when supporting football players. Starting from understanding football’s physical and physiological demands, five different moments were identified: preparing to play, match-day, recovery after matches, between matches and during injury or rehabilitation periods. When applicable, specificities of nutritional support to young athletes and female players were also addressed. The result is a set of practical recommendations that gathered consensus among involved experts, highlighting carbohydrates periodisation, hydration and conscious use of dietary supplements.

Purpose: The objectives were to analyse differences of static and dynamic balance between sexes and test the correlations between static and dynamic balance measures.Methods: The study involved 77 physically active adults, university students (age: 19.1 ± 1.1 years; height: 170.2 ± 9.2 cm; body mass: 64.1 ± 10.7 kg). Static balance was assessed with a force platform under Romberg conditions: a foam surface, eyes open (EOFS); eyes closed (ECFS); challenging the visual-vestibular system (CVVS). The Y Balance Test (YBT) evaluated dynamic balance in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. One-way ANOVA examined potential differences between sexes, and the Pearson product-moment test verified the correlations between YBT and static balance measures.Results: Sex differences were found for all conditions in static balance variables: ellipse area (EA), centre of pressure displacement anteroposterior (DAP) and mediolateral (DML), mean velocity anteroposterior (VAP) and mediolateral (VML), total mean velocity (TV). Females presented a better stability index than males for EOFS (25% DAP, 20% DML, 30% VAP, 21% VML, 19% TV), ECFS (26% DAP, 32% DML, 28% VAP, 32% VML, 32% TV), and CVVS (27% EA, 26% DAP, 19% DML, 17% VAP, 20% VML, 18% TV). Males demonstrated 6% better performance on YBT posterolateral. Correlation tests revealed small to moderate correlations between static and dynamic balance, except for a large positive correlation between YBT anterior and sway area under the CVVS condition [r = 0.54 (0.19; 0.77)] for women.Conclusions: The findings indicate a weak relationship between static and dynamic balance in controlling posture.

Background. Sedentary lifestyles and insufficient physical activity contribute significantly to the rising global epidemic of obesity, fostering an environment where excess calories are stored as adipose tissue. Lack of regular physical activity and diminished cardiorespiratory fitness are key factors in the emergence of obesity-related illnesses, leading to cardiovascular and metabolic ...

The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) analyze the weekly variations of well-being and training/match intensity measures in youth soccer players, and (ii) test relations between well-being and training intensity outcomes. The study followed a descriptive case study design. Twenty-seven under-17 male soccer players were monitored for well-being and training intensity parameters over seventeen consecutive weeks. An adjusted version of the Hooper questionnaire was used to monitor the perceptive sleep quality, readiness, fatigue, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) early in the morning. The CR-10 Borg’s scale was also used for monitoring the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of players after training sessions. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was executed to test the between-week variations of both well-being and training intensity outcomes. Moreover, Pearson product moment correlation was used to test the relations between well-being and training intensity outcomes. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between weeks in the sleep quality (F = 0.422; p < 0.001; ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.140), readiness (F = 0.8.734; p < 0.001; ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.251), fatigue (F = 4.484; p < 0.001; ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.147), DOMS (F = 3.775; p = 0.001; ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.127), RPE (F = 7.301; p < 0.001; ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.219), and session-RPE (F = 17.708; p < 0.001; ${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.405). Correlations between well-being and training intensity outcomes in the same week revealed moderate correlations between fatigue and session-RPE (r = 0.325). As conclusions, it was found that well-being and training intensity fluctuates over the season, while well-being outcomes seems to be related with training intensity, although with a small magnitude.