Anthropometric characteristics, somatotype and dietary patterns in youth soccer players

Abstract

 

Objective

To determine the morphological characteristics, fat mass, somatotype and dietary patterns of youth soccer players from an amateur Spanish team.

Method

Height, weight, diameters, circumferences and skinfolds from sixteen youth soccer players were measured. Body fat percentage and somatotype were calculated. They completed the Kidmed questionnaire to analyze dietary patterns. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation) were used.

Results

The global body fat percentage was 9.16 ± 2.12 and the somatotype (2.56-3.73-2.77). The sum of the six skinfolds was 62.6 ± 2.7 mm. The sum of the eight skinfolds was 80.7 ± 3.1 mm. 75% of athletes consumed a fruit daily, 18.75% took a second fruit each day. 43.75% of players took vegetables once a day, 18.75% ate vegetables more than once a day.

Conclusion

Body fat percentage, the sum of the six skinfolds, the sum of the eight skinfolds and somatotype results are in agreement with previous studies where youth non-professional soccer players were analyzed. Other studies have obtained lower values in body fat percentage or in sum of six skinfolds due to they have evaluated professional soccer players. Anthropometric measures would be important to prescribed personalized diet and training plans.