Body composition and physical performance of college soccer by player´s position

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between body composition and physical performance in college soccer players. Twenty-six male players with an average age of 20.7 years (SD = 1.7), belonging to the representative soccer teams of two Mexican universities participated in the research. Morphological, body composition, and physical characteristics were measured for the defense, midfield, and forward positions. The level of association between variables was determined. The results show that defenders have greater body mass, humerus diameter, and hip circumference than forwards (p.05). Fat mass was directly associated with speed (.427 *, p < .05). Differences were found in bone and body mass by playing position between defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The findings hint at an influence of body composition on participants’ physical performance.