Body Composition Changes During A Competitive Season In Men??s Soccer At The American Collegiate Level

Abstract

The importance and contribution of body composition (BC) to performance in soccer remains speculative; however, BC is a primary concern in conditioning programs before and during a competitive season at any level of competition. Purpose To evaluate changes in BC resulting from a competitive season in the sport of soccer. Methods This investigation involved a longitudinal design to evaluate BC characteristics of Division I collegiate soccer players before (PRE) and after (POST) the 03/04 NCAA season. DEXA measurements were obtained in 27 players from the University of Connecticut using a fan-beam DEXA (Prodigy TM, Lunar Corporation, Madison, WI), and included: total mass (TM), lean body mass (LM), fat mass (FM) and bone mineral content (BMC). Analysis was performed with the “enCORE” software (version 6.00.270). All athletes underwent similar training sessions and the same periodized, multiple sets resistance training program during the season. Results TM was increased from PRE to POST (1.462kg), BMC (0.034kg) and LM (0.966kg) also showed increases from PRE, with all values being significant at p < 0.05. TF showed a small increase (0.466kg) being non significant. The increase in LM was mainly due to an increase in lean mass in the legs (0.466kg) being significant at p < 0.05, and in the trunk (0.390kg), regardless a decrease in arms (−0.168kg). Conclusion This results show that these athletes increased their muscle mass during the season possibly due to the strength and conditioning program. The small increase in FM might be explained by a high level of fitness shown by these athletes during the season, following an effective off-season training program.