INFLUENCE OF BODY COMPOSITION ON VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE ACCORDING WITH THE AGE AND THE PLAYING POSITION IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Introduction: body composition and vertical jump are two factors in the multifactorial approach to talent identification in soccer with implication on performance monitorization and injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric attributes and vertical jump performance in young soccer players based on their playing position. Methods: four hundred and thirty-four young soccer players from 7 to 25 years (13.4 +/- 3.45 yrs; 156 +/- 17 cm; 47.9 +/- 15.4 kg), who trained 3 days/week for 1.5 hours/day, took part in the study. All were split up based on their age or soccer category (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U25) and playing position (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards). Then, body composition was measure using the anthropometric method and vertical jump performance was analysed by three vertical jump test Squat Jump (Si), Counter-movement Jump (CMJ) and Abalakov Jump (CMJA). Results: significant differences among playing positions were mainly detected in categories U13, U15 and U25. Goalkeepers from U13 category reported a significantly higher fat free mass, appendicular lean body mass, area of the thigh and area of the calf (P < 0.05). While, defenders from U25 category showed a significantly greater vertical jump performance compared to midfielders for Si, midfielders and forwards for CMJ and all playing position for CMJA (P < 0.05). Conclusions: in addition to biological age and muscle mass development, playing position should be taken into 7consideration as a relevant variable in the utilization of body composition and vertical jump performance as talent detection factors.