Correlational study of body composition and lower-limb power in prepubertal soccer players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/tpwx8075Keywords:
soccer, body composition, power output, maturationAbstract
The aim was to examine associations between body composition, morphological profile, and Abalakov jump (ABK) height in 21 male soccer players aged 10–11 years from a training center in Puebla, Mexico. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. Anthropometric variables, body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and jump height were assessed. Absolute muscle mass showed a negligible association with jump height (r = .014), whereas body fat percentage (r = −.779) and segmental leg fat (r = −.612) showed inverse associations. Body linearity was positively associated with jump height (r = .549). The correlation between lean mass in both legs was very high (r = .998), but this does not establish equality between measurements or functional symmetry. The reported association between ABK jump and playing position was weak (r = .109); given the small sample and exploratory nature of the analysis, it is not interpreted as evidence of morphological specialization. These findings describe associations within this sample and do not establish causality or prediction. Larger studies including direct bilateral functional tests and analyses adjusted for maturation are needed.
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