Morfological components and functional characteristics of elite soccer players according to team position

Berjan B, Suzovic D Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SCG Introduction Elite soccer players are characterized by a relative heterogenity in body size. The positional role of players is related to their anthropometrical and physiological characteristics, mean estimated body fat was 11%, and muscle mass averaging 62% (Rienzi et al., 1998). In a study of Danish players was found that goalkeepers and defenders were the tallest and heaviest, while the mean stature and body mass of full-backs, midfield players and forwards were similar (Bangsbo, 1994). In a top Norwegian teams, values of VO2 max was from 59,9 ml/kg/min to 67,6 ml/kg/min. Purpose of the present study was to examine whether there exists differences between soccer players in The 1st Serbian and Montenegro soccer division, according to playing positions. Methods Players of five teams from the Serbian and Montenegro 1st division (N=109) participated in this study. Subjects were divided into five groups according to the position in team: goalkeepers (N=10), central defenders (N=30), full-backs (N=19), midfield players (N=26) and forwards (N=23). The measured variables included body height (m) and mass (kg), adipose mass (%) and muscle mass (%), determined from summed skinfolds, and VO2max (mlkg-1min-1). Subjects were tested to establish anaerobic threshold heart frequency, and maximal heart frequency. The results are reported as means (X) and standard deviation (SD). One-way ANOVA was used to determine differences between different playing positions. Results Obtained results show significant differences between groups in body mass and body height (p<0,01), the tallest and heaviest are goal keepers, then central defenders and forwards, whether full-backs and midfield players are similar. Measurements of muscle mass are different according to position role (p<0,05) while there is no differences between adipose mass results. All players are similar ages, so there aren't differences between groups in maximal heart frequency and anaerobic threshold heart frequency. Position role have influence on VO2max, thus, midfield players, and fullbacks have the highest maximal oxygen intakes (54,45 4,84 mlkg-1min-1), and goalkeepers the lowest. age 22.3 22.8 22.7 22.7 21.3 height 192.36 183.67 179.24 179.08 180.54 mass 89.12 77.29 73.38 73.49 75.26 muscle 51.23 50.57 51.16 49.84 51.78

VO2 max
60 50

ml/kg/min

40 30 20 10 0 golmani odbrana spoljni vezni napad VO2 max

uloga

goalkeepers defenders Full-backs midfield forward

adipose an threshold 12.01 165.16 10.58 163.84 10.38 164.07 12.06 163.09 9.97 164.72

VO2 max 42.40 49.62 53.76 54.45 51.23

Max heart fr 188.90 187.98 188.12 187.66 189.16

Discussion/Conclusion The present study support previous investigations that there exists differences between different playing positions. Obtained results suggests that there no exists difference between groups in measurements of heart frequency, whether there is differences in body dimensions, and maximal oxygen intake, and adipose mass. Also it was confirmed that soccer players of Serbian and Montenegro 1st division are similar by body composition to the other players, but lower in VO2max, and there could be opportunities for improvement and more successful playing. References Bangsbo, J. (1994c): FITNESS TRAINING IN FOOTBALL-A SCIENCIFIC APPROACH, Bagsvaerd: HO+ Storm Rienzi, E., Mazza, J.C., Carter, J.E.L. and Reilly, T. (1998): FUDBOLISTA SUDAMERICANO DE ELITE: MORFOLOGIA, ANALISIS DEL FUEGO Y PERFORMANCE. Rosario: Byosystem Servicio Educativo. Wislff, U., Helgerud, J. and Hoff, J. (1998): STRENGHT AND ENDURANCE OF ELITE SOCCER PLAYERS, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30, 462-467.