Assessment of Body Composition, Lower Limbs Power, and Anaerobic Power of Senior Soccer Players in Portugal: Differences According to the Competitive Level.

Diogo Tereso,Sergio J Ibáñez,Pedro Duarte-Mendes,João Petrica,Rui Paulo,José M Gamonales

doi:10.3390/ijerph18158069

Abstract

Background. During a soccer game, the most diversified stimuli occur all the time, the physical condition level plays a determinant role, and there may be variations according to the competitive level. In this sense, the present study aimed to verify differences in body composition, lower limbs power, and anaerobic power, comparing senior soccer players of different competitive levels. Methods. Participants were 81 players belonging to six soccer teams, aged between 18 and 35 years, with a mean age of 23.14 ± 4.23 years, who were divided into three distinct competitive levels: Elite, Sub-Elite and Non-Elite. The players performed bioimpedance evaluations on a tetrapolarInbody270 scale (body composition), the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) through the ChronoJump (lower limbs power), and Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) (anaerobic power). Results. Based on the competitive level analysis, we verified that the players present body composition values similar to each other regardless of the competitive level in which they play. Concerning the performance evaluations, we verified that the elite players present higher values of highest jump (p = 0.012; d = 0.76, moderate; and p = 0.022; d = 0.71, moderate) and maximum force produced (p = 0.05; d = 0.64, moderate; and p = 0.002; d = 1.00, moderate), together with higher values of anaerobic power (p < 0.001; d = 2.43, very large; and p < 0.001; d = 2.22, very large), compared to the others. Conclusions. We can thus conclude that there is a homogeneity regarding the body composition of soccer players, regardless of their competitive level; in turn, elite players show better performance indicators in all variables.

Highlights

Soccer is a competitive sport that requires excellent relevance to physical capabilities, especially when talking about high level, we have as a reference the investigations that focus on monitoring players [1]
This study aimed to evaluate the body composition, lower limbs power, and anaerobic power of soccer players according to their competitive level
The results found through this study indicate that Elite players are older

Summary

Introduction

Soccer is a competitive sport that requires excellent relevance to physical capabilities, especially when talking about high level, we have as a reference the investigations that focus on monitoring players [1]. The most diverse stimuli occur all the time, the level of physical condition plays a decisive role, and there may be variations depending on the competitive level. Given the evolution of soccer, which is becoming more and more scientific, with the increase of physical, technical, and tactical demands, we try to know the actual behavior of specific variables and improve the training methods so that we can make a transfer closer to the specific situations of the game. Training continues to be seen in a general way, and it is necessary to understand that the actions that occur during a game present totally different physical demands between competitive levels.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion