Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Comparison of the Morphological Characteristics of Sub-Elite Female Football Players According to Playing Position

Version 1 : Received: 19 February 2021 / Approved: 22 February 2021 / Online: 22 February 2021 (12:03:33 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Strauss, A.; Sparks, M.; Pienaar, C. Comparison of the Morphological Characteristics of South African Sub-Elite Female Football Players According to Playing Position. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 3603. Strauss, A.; Sparks, M.; Pienaar, C. Comparison of the Morphological Characteristics of South African Sub-Elite Female Football Players According to Playing Position. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 3603.

Abstract

The aim of this article was to examine if there are position-specific differences in the morphological characteristics of sub-elite female football players and to establish normative standards for this level of female football players. The morphological features of 101 sub-elite female football players (age: 21.8±2.7 years) were assessed. Twenty anthropometric sites were used in the measurements of body composition and somatotype. The average value of body fat percentage was 20.8±5.7%. The somatotype of the overall group was 4.0–2.4–2.1. Positional significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found between goalkeepers and outfield players in morphological characteristics. Goalkeepers were taller, heavier, possessed the highest body fat percentage and showed higher values for all skinfolds, breadth, girth and length measurements. However, there were very few practically worthwhile differences between the outfield positions. Positional groups did not differ (p ≤ 0.05) in somatotype characteristics either. The study suggests that at sub-elite level there are mainly differences between goalkeepers and outfield players, but outfield players are homogeneous when comparing morphological characteristics. These results may serve as normative values for future comparisons regarding the morphological characteristics of female football players.

Keywords

anthropometry; height; somatotype; body mass; soccer; sports performance

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Immunology and Allergy

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