Field-Based Performance Tests Are Related to Body Fat Percentage and Fat-Free Mass, But Not Body Mass Index, in Youth Soccer Players

Sports

卷:6

CliftonJ. Holmes¹  MichaelV. Fedewa¹  MichaelR. Esco¹  ZackaryS. Cicone¹  OlegA. Sinelnikov¹  Damir Sekulic² 

[1] Department of Kinesiology, University of Alabama, Box 870312, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA;

[2] Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;

关键词: performance;    soccer;    youth athletes;    body composition;   

DOI  :  10.3390/sports6040105

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The primary aim of this study was to determine the association between body composition and performance outcomes in youth soccer players. Twenty-five competitive male youth soccer players (age = 13.7 ± 0.8 years, height = 167.4 ± 9.7 cm, weight = 57.6 ± 12.1 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Body fat percentage (BF%) and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Each athlete performed the Pacer test, vertical jump, and t-test drill. Participants were predominantly normal weight (20.4 ± 2.7 kg·m−2). The body composition results were 20.3 ± 4.9% for BF% and 46.5 ± 8.7 kg for FFM. The results of the performance tests indicated a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 1418 ± 332 m for Pacer, 57.2 ± 7.4 cm for vertical jump, 11.6 ± 0.7 s for t-test. Body mass index was not associated with any performance measure (r = 0.02 to −0.21, all p > 0.05). Body fat percentage was associated with the Pacer, vertical jump, and t-test (r = −0.62, −0.57, 0.61, respectively; all p < 0.01) and remained after accounting for BMI. Fat-free mass was only significantly related to t-test (r = −0.43, p < 0.01). However, after controlling for BMI, FFM was related to all three performance tests. Body fat percentage and FFM are associated with performance in youth soccer players, with stronger relationships reported in the former metric. The findings highlight the need for accurate body composition measurements as part of an assessment battery in young athletes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown