Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the anthropometric profile and evaluate physical fitness variables of the members of the Chile women’s national football team based on their playing positions. Fifty football players participated in this study, which was carried out during the period of training for the France 2019 Women’s World Cup and the Japan 2020 Olympic Games. Body composition and physical condition (muscular strength, sprint, agility, and aerobic fitness) were assessed. The goalkeepers showed greater weight (p < 0.001), height (p = 0.002), and %Fat (p = 0.010) compared to the rest of the playing positions. There were also differences between positions in relative strength (RS) (p = 0.001), running speed at 10 and 30 m (T10 and T30, respectively), agility (AGI) (p < 0.001), and yo-yo test (MYYR1) (p < 0.001). RS, T10, T30, and countermovement jump (CMJ) were significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with anthropometric variables (p ≤ 0.05). MYYR1 was also significantly correlated with anthropometric variables (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, goalkeepers show greater weight and height, as well as worse results in MYYR1, AGI, T10, T30, and RS compared to the rest of the players. Forwards present better performance in running speed and agility. Better performance in physical condition is associated with better body composition values (greater muscle mass and lower fat mass). Greater relative strength indicates greater performance in explosive actions. Therefore, to meet the demands of high competition, it is important to establish ideal profiles in anthropometry and physical condition variables based on the playing position.
Highlights
IntroductionEuropean football (soccer in USA) is understood as an intermittent activity that combines aerobic and anaerobic efforts at different intensity levels with irregular pauses [1,2]
From the physiological perspective, European football is understood as an intermittent activity that combines aerobic and anaerobic efforts at different intensity levels with irregular pauses [1,2]
One of the most evident findings of this study is that Gs are different from the rest of the players, in both anthropometric and physical fitness variables
Summary
European football (soccer in USA) is understood as an intermittent activity that combines aerobic and anaerobic efforts at different intensity levels with irregular pauses [1,2] It is a team sport with unique performance characteristics and demands [1,2,3]. Regarding the intensity of the distances covered, for the medium–high range (19–23 km/h) the distances covered according to the playing position was 253 m for defenders, 313 m for midfielders, and 360 m for forwards [5] In this sense, it has been reported that the amount of physical performance, effort intensity, and movement patterns are different depending on the playing position [8]
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