Relationship of tactical position and body composition of professional football players

Abstract

Football is a complex sport that requires different skills from athletes. To investigate the relationship between tactical position and body composition of professional soccer players.  This study evaluated the body composition profile of the team of professional players from Esporte Clube Primeiro Passo (ECPP), during three different seasons, throughout the Campeonato Baiano Serie A. The sample consisted of data from 24 players in seasons 1 and 2 and 20 players in season 3, divided according to tactical position on the field. Body weight (BW), lean mass (MMA), fat mass (FM) and body fat percentage (%BF) data were used. Data were analyzed using the Tukey test, considering statistically significant p<0.05. The general body composition of the players, according to the tactical position, presented significantly lower values (p<0.01) for BW when compared to goalkeepers and full-backs and midfielders, MMA between goalkeepers and midfielders, and FM between goalkeepers and full-backs. Significant difference (p<0.05) was found in BW and FM when comparing goalkeepers to other positions, MMA except between goalkeepers and defenders, and %BF between goalkeepers and laterals.  This study evidenced the existence of differences in the body composition of the players in relation to the tactical position on the field.