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An anthropometric and body composition analysis was conducted on 123 competitive young male football players of different age groups (U13; U15; U17 & U19) with at least 4 years of training load. 3D anthropometric measurement were performed by the NX-16 ([TC]2, 3D body scanner Cary, North Carolina). Body composition was measured by the bioelectrical impedance with InBody 720 (Biospace Ltd.). Anthropometric and body composition characteristics among different age groups and asymmetries between the left and right side of the upper and lower limbs were analysed for treated age groups. The results showed differences in anthropometric and body composition variables among all age groups in all observed variables (Height, Weight, Basal Metabolic Rate, Skeletal Muscle Mass, Body Fat Mass, Percent Body Fat, Abdominal Obesity Degree, Body Mass Index, Body Fat Mass, Skeletal Lean Mass and Fat Free Mass). The results also showed that young football players of age group U13 differed statistically in four (from 7) paired variables (Arm Lean Mass, Leg Lean Mass, Forearm Girth and Calf Girth), U15 in three variables (Upper Arm Girth, Thigh Girth and Calf Girth), U17 in five variables (Arm Lean Mass, Leg Lean Mass, Upper Arm Girth, Forearm Girth and Calf Girth) and U19 in four observed variables (Arm Lean Mass, Leg Lean Mass, Upper Arm Girth and Calf Girth). All of the age groups differed statistically in calf girth paired variables. Puberty time probably had an impact on the results, and in future research more focus should be placed on puberty characteristics variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer is the most practiced sport in the world. This popularity is since practically anyone can play it amateurishly, but as it becomes professionalized it requires the valuation of an anthropometric profile that favors a certain role within the playing field. The objective of the study was to compare the anthropometric characteristics of Chilean youth soccer players sub 14, sub 15 and sub 16 according to the game position and category. The number of individuals evaluated in this study was 180 male youth players in the sub 14 categories (n = 60), sub 15 (n = 58) and sub 16 (n = 62), belonging to the lower divisions of the soccer clubs: Audax Italiano (n = 62), Cobresal (n = 57) and Magallanes (n = 61) from the Metropolitan Region. The sample was chosen for convenience and consists of the total of players belonging to these three categories and these three soccer teams. These players had an average training of 4 days a week with a duration of each practice session of 120 minutes, plus a match on weekends with a duration of 90 minutes. There were significant differences in all of them between different game positions. We can emphasize that the central defenses presented the greatest statistical differences in all the lengths corresponding to the lower limbs: iliospinal height (97.6 ± 3.6), trochanteric height (92.1 ± 3.3), trochanteric-tibial lateral length (45.2 ± 1.7), lateral tibial height (46.3 ± 1.8) and medialmalleolar medial tibial length (38.7 ± 2.0), whereas the archers had them in the lengths of the train superior: acromio-radial (33.0 ± 1.6), radial- styloid (27.8 ± 1.7) and styloid-dactyly medium (20.2 ± 1.0). It was also found that there are significant differences in weight among players of different categories, with those of sub 16 having the highest weight (65.7 ± 7.4) and those of sub 14 the lowest (58.7 ± 8.1). At the same time, it is shown how there are statistical differences in the size between the sub 14 division who obtained the lowest measurement on average and the other 2 series confronted, but not so between sub 15 and sub 16, the latter being those who had the highest stature on average. It is also shown as the percentage of fat mass, ranging between 24.2% of the sub 15 division in its lower limit, and 25.2% of the sub 14 in its upper limit being all considered as "acceptable" and without statistical significance between any categories. Statistical differences were found between the sub 14 category and the sub 16 category in all body lengths except in the radial-styloid. It is also shown that there are significant differences between the sub 14 and sub 15 in the lengths: acromio-radial and trochanteric-lateral tibial and in the heights: ilio-spinal, trochanteric and lateral tibial. This is directly related to the lower average stature they present in the sub-division 14. In turn, no statistical significance was found at any length between sub-15 and sub-16 players. Likewise, statistical differences were found in the weight, height, and weight of: skin, fat, bone mass, muscle, residual mass and in all body lengths less than radial-styloid among players of different categories. The results show the importance of dividing the young players in a greater number of positional roles when defining the ideal anthropometric characteristics according to their location in the field of play. The differences found in the body composition between categories suggest paying attention to the development of maturity when promoting a player to a larger division. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine biochemical profile of youth national soccer teams and to compare the values of nine biochemical parameters between three Serbian youth national teams (under 14, 15 and 16 years old), as well as between soccer players and non-athletes. Eighty young soccer players and thirty non-athletes participated in the study. Nine biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), iron) were measured. In order to determine the significance of differences between the groups on a multivariate level a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was administered, and to test the differences between the groups on an univariate level a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied. Statistically significant differences were found between groups (soccer players up to 14, 15 and 16 years of age) on a multivariate level of the applied biochemical variables (MANOVA, p= 0.00). ANOVA also revealed significant differences in Creatinine (p= 0.00), Total bilirubin (p= 0.00) and ALT (SGPT) (p= 0.02). Statistically significant differences in the applied variables were found between soccer players and non-athletes on a multivariate level (MANOVA p= 0.00). ANOVA also revealed significant differences in Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Creatinine, Total bilirubin, ALT (SGPT) and Iron (p= 0.00) between soccer players and non-athletes, but there were no statistically significant differences in other variables (AST (SGOT) and Urea). It was concluded that there is significant difference in almost all variables (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.), except AST (SGOT) and Urea between soccer players and non-athletes. From a practical point of view, the clinician has to take into account not only age, but also training status of individuals when evaluating their blood tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]