Sprint and change of direction ability in young soccer players according to body composition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/sdmmsz17Keywords:
soccer, anthropometry, physical fitness, young athletesAbstract
Periodic assessment of physical performance and body composition is key to optimizing training during athletic development, a stage characterized by profound morphological and functional changes typical of adolescence. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between sprinting and the ability to change direction with body composition in young Chilean soccer players. A cross-sectional, correlational observational study was conducted with 81 young male soccer players (16.1 ± 1.5 years) selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Anthropometric variables, body composition, sprint (10m, 20m, and 30m), and the 505 test were evaluated. The results showed that the percentage of muscle mass was significantly associated with the 20m sprint (R²=13%; p<0.01), 30m sprint (R²=12%; p<0.01), and the 505 test (R²=5%; p<0.05), followed by the sum of skinfold thicknesses with the 30m sprint (R²=7%; p<0.05). Each increase in muscle tissue shows a moderate association associated with a decrease in the time of the 20m and 30m sprints (β= -0.02 s) and 505 test (β= -0.01 s), while an increase in skinfold thickness is associated with a longer 30m sprint time (β= 0.01 s). In addition, low magnitude relationships were observed between the sum of 6 skinfolds with the 20 and 30m sprint, as well as between the percentage of body fat and the 30m sprint. These findings highlight the importance of body composition in the physical performance of young soccer players.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Pablo Luna-Villouta, Carlos Matus-Castillo, César Faúndez-Casanova, Claudio Hérnandez-Mosqueira, Carol Flores-Rivera, Oscar Aguayo-Álvarez, Miguel Alarcon-Rivera, Cristian Martinez Salazar, Gustavo Pavez-Adasme, Rodrigo Vargas Vitoria (Autor/a)
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