Anthropometric and Body Composition Changes during Pre-Season of Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players According to Playing Position
A summary of the research:
The article "Anthropometric and Body Composition Changes during Pre-Season of Spanish Professional Female Soccer Players According to Playing Position" analyzes physical changes in body composition for female soccer players during a pre-season period. The study examines four main groups—midfielders, defenders, forwards, and goalkeepers—using anthropometric measurements and bioimpedance analysis to track changes in parameters like body fat, muscle mass, and skinfold thickness over four weeks. Results indicate significant changes by position, particularly for midfielders, who showed the greatest decrease in body fat. Goalkeepers generally had higher wingspans and different bone dimensions compared to other positions, aligning with the physical demands of their roles.
The findings highlight the importance of position-specific training regimens in enhancing physical attributes that contribute to performance. For example, defenders maintained more consistent body composition values, whereas midfielders showed the most change in skinfold thickness and fat mass, indicating greater adaptability to pre-season conditioning. These insights could help optimize individualized training programs for female athletes based on their position on the field.
Key Takeaways
Midfielders showed the most significant reduction in body fat and skinfold thickness during pre-season, indicating high adaptability to training.
Goalkeepers had greater wingspan and bone mass, consistent with the demands of their role in defending the goal.
Position-specific training may enhance pre-season outcomes, with customized regimens helping players meet the physical demands of their roles.
Authors: Marta Ramírez-Munera, Raúl Arcusa, Francisco Javier López-Román, Desirée Victoria-Montesinos,
Ana María García-Muñoz, Vicente Ávila-Gandía, Silvia Pérez-Piñero, and Javier Marhuenda
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