Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anthropometry and fitness of young elite soccer players by field position

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Sport Sciences for Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aimed at determining anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics of boys, who were previously selected to participate in specialized soccer training, according to their positions in the game field.

Methods

Two hundred and ninety-six boys ageing from 10 to 13 years old were evaluated, after being recruited and assigned to the position each one would play, as determined by the coaches: goalkeepers (n = 26), defenders (n = 77), midfielders (n = 113) and forwards (n = 80). All of them had been through selection phase in a soccer club and started specialized training 3 times/week, 3 h/day, 2 months before the assessment.

Results

Goalkeepers and defenders are taller, heavier and have more lean mass than players from other positions (p < .01). They also have more flexibility, lower limb strength and muscle power than midfielders and forwards (p < .05). Forwards, in turn, present less adiposity than midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers (12.1 ± 4.5 vs. 14.0 ± 5.7; 15.3 ± 5.1 and 17.0 ± 6.7, respectively, p < .01). Agility, elbow flexion strength and maximal oxygen consumption did not differ significantly among players of different field positions.

Conclusion

Data show clear differences among athletes from each field position. Goalkeepers and defenders are the tallest and heaviest of all players, and they also have more lean mass than midfielders and forwards. Flexibility, lower limb strength and muscle power are highlighted features in goalkeepers when compared to players from other field positions. Conversely, forwards present lower adiposity than athletes from all other positions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisloff U (2005) Physiology of soccer: an update. Sports Med 35(6):501–536

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Arnason A, Sigurdsson SB, Gudmundsson A, Holme I, Engebretsen L, Bahr R (2004) Physical fitness, injuries, and team performance in soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(2):278–285

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Coelho DB, Mortimer LA, Condessa LA, Morandi RF, Oliveira BM, Marins JC, Soares DD, Garcia ES (2011) Intensity of real competitive soccer matches and differences among player positions. Rev Bras Cineantropom Hum 13(5):341–347

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dellal A, Chamari K, Wong DP, Ahmaidi S, Keller D, Barros R, Bisciotti GN, Carling C (2011) Comparison of physical and technical performance in European soccer match-play: FA Premier League and La Liga. Eur J Sport Sci 11(1):51–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Di Salvo V, Baron R, Tschan H, Calderon Montero FJ, Bachl N, Pigozzi F (2007) Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer. Int J Sports Med 28:222–227

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Malina RM, Eisenmann JC, Cumming SP, Ribeiro B, Aroso J (2004) Maturity-associated variation in the growth and functional capacities of youth football (soccer) players 13–15 years. Eur J Appl Physiol 91:555–562

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Raven PB, Gettman LR, Pollock ML, Cooper KH (1976) A physiological evaluation of professional soccer players. Br J Sports Med 10(4):209–216

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Reilly T, Bangsbo J, Franks A (2000) Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. J Sports Med 18:669–683

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Stroyer J, Hansen L, Klausen K (2004) Physiological profile and activity pattern of young soccer players during match play. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(1):168–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Svensson M, Drust B (2005) Testing soccer players. J Sports Med 23(6):601–618

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Vanderford ML, Meyers MC, Skelly WA, Stewart CC, Hamilton KL (2004) Physiological and sport-specific skill response of Olympic youth soccer athletes. J Strength Cond Res 18(2):334–342

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wisloff U, Castagna C, Helgerud J, Jones R, Hoff J (2004) Strong correlation of maximal squat strength with Sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer players. Br J Sports Med 38:285–288

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Malina RM, Reyes ME, Eisenmann JC, Horta L, Rodrigues J, Miller R (2000) Height, mass and skeletal maturity of elite Portuguese soccer players aged 11–16 years. J Sport Sci 18:685–693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Buchheit M, Mendez-Villanueva A, Simpson BM, Bourdon PC (2010) Match running performance and fitness in youth soccer. Int J Sports Med 31:818–825

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Le Gall F, Carling C, Williams M, Reilly T (2010) Anthropometric and fitness characteristics of international, professional and amateur male graduate soccer players from na elite youth academy. J Sci Med Sport 13:90–95

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sporis G, Vucetic V, Jovanovic M, Milanovic Z, Rucevic M, Vuleta D (2011) Coll Antropol 35(4):1089–1094

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Eston R, Reilly T (2001) Kinanthropometry and Exercise Physiology Laboratory Manual: tests, procedures and data, anthropometry, vol 1, 2nd edn. Routledge, New York

    Google Scholar 

  18. Jelliffe EF, Jelliffe DB (1969) The arm circumference as a public health index of protein-calorie malnutrition of early childhood. J Trop Pediatr 15:179–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Lohman TG (1992) Basic concepts in body composition assessment. Advances in body composition assessment. Human Kinetics Publisher, Champaign, pp 109–118

    Google Scholar 

  20. Heyward VH (2002) Advanced fitness assessment and exercise prescription, 4th edn. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  21. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) (1976) Youth fitness test manual: revised edition. Washington, DC, AAHPERD Publications

    Google Scholar 

  22. Matsudo VK (1983) Testes em ciências do esporte, 2a ed. CELAFISCS: São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo

  23. Gil SM, Gil J, Ruiz F, Irazusta A, Irazusta J (2007) Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing position: relevance for the selection process. J Strength Cond Res 21:438–445

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Lago-Peñas C, Casais L, Dellal A, Rey E, Domínguez E (2011) Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing positions: relevance for competition success. J Strength Cond Res 25:3358–3367

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Nikolaidis PT, Karydis NV (2011) Physique and body composition in soccer players across adolescence. Asian J Sports Med 2(2):75–82

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Dellal A, Owen A, Wong DP, Krustrup P, van Exsel M, Mallo J (2012) Technical and physical demands of small vs. large sided games in relation to playing position in elite soccer. Hum Mov Sci

  27. Nikolaidis PT (2012) Age-related differences of hamstring flexibility in male soccer players. Balt J Health Phys Act 4(2):110–115

    Google Scholar 

  28. Canhadas IL, Silva RP, Chaves CR, Portes LA (2010) Anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics of young male soccer players. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum 12(4):239–245

    Google Scholar 

  29. Di Luigi L, Baldari C, Gallotta MC et al (2006) Salivary steroids at rest and after a training load in young male athletes: relationship with chronological age and pubertal development. Int J Sports Med 27:709–717

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group in Physical Exercise, Lifestyle and Health Promotion. Exercise Physiology Laboratory (LAFEX), Health Promotion Master Program, UNASP (Adventist University of São Paulo), Estrada de Itapecerica, 5859, São Paulo, SP, 05858-001, Brazil

    Leslie Andrews Portes & Natalia Cristina de Oliveira

  2. Alvorada Hospital and Maternity, Av. Ministro Gabriel de Resende Passos, 550, São Paulo, SP, 04521-022, Brazil

    Ive Luz Canhadas

  3. Physical Education Undergraduate Course, UNASP (Adventist University of Sao Paulo), Estrada de Itapecerica, 5859, São Paulo, SP, 05858-022, Brazil

    Rodrigo Lopes Pignataro Silva

Authors
  1. Leslie Andrews Portes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ive Luz Canhadas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rodrigo Lopes Pignataro Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Natalia Cristina de Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Natalia Cristina de Oliveira.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were approved by local ethics committee and were in accordance with the national ethical standards and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments.

Informed consent

Informed written consent was obtained from all parents/guardians of participants included in the study.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 35 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Portes, L.A., Canhadas, I.L., Silva, R.L.P. et al. Anthropometry and fitness of young elite soccer players by field position. Sport Sci Health 11, 321–328 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-015-0243-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-015-0243-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation