Seasonal Body Composition Variations in Adolescent Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine seasonal variations in body composition in adolescent soccer players. A total of 64 young male soccer players (aged 14–18 years) were recruited for this research. Body composition was assessed using the Bioelectric impedance analysis. The variables were body mass, body fat, muscle mass, fat free mass, total body water, BMI, body fat %, basic metabolic rate. Body mass did not change across the three measurement occasions. Body fat mass and body fat % significantly changed between test intervals (p≤0.05). There were no significant differences in other variables between measurements performed during the season. In conclusion, body fat has changed significantly from the start of the season to the end of the competitive period in adolescent soccer players, in accordance with earlier studies.