Does Body Fat Affect Performance Indicators in Youth Soccer?

Aims: The study aimed to identify the relationship between body parameters and performance factors for different age groups.
Study Design: The researchers recorded the indoor tests (height, weight, body fat, body mass index, and vertical jump) and then they recorded the outdoor tests (sprint, agility, and VO2max). The measurements took place at the beginning of the competitive season. The tests were scheduled under similar conditions of time, light, temperature, and a standardized warm-up.
Methodology: 314 Greek young male players aged 7-17 years old participated in the current study. The portable device called the OptoJump System (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) was used to measure the performance factors of each player. A weighting scale (BC1000, Tanita, Japan) and a cursor were used to measure the body parameters.
Results: It was found that body fat and then body mass index were the most important predictors of performance factors. Specifically, body fat was the most important predictor of performance factors from 10 to 15 years old.
Conclusion: As body fat is a factor that determine the performance of youths it is crucial for the training staff to assess players’ body parameters very frequently throughout a season.