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Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(12): 994-998
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1371833
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Seasonal Changes in Multiple Indices of Body Composition in Professional Football Players

J. Iga
1   Formerly, Medical and Exercise Science Department, Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Wolverhampton,United Kingdom
,
M. Scott
2   Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
K. George
2   Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
B. Drust
2   Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 03 February 2014

Publication Date:
09 May 2014 (online)

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Abstract

We examined the seasonal variability of indicators of adiposity and generic and population-specific equations of estimating body fat in professional football players. Anthropometric data of 35 outfield players (age, 20±4 years; stature, 1.82±0.06 m; body mass 77.1±7.3 kg) were collected over a playing season. There were a significant main effects for time for all indicators (p<0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed significant changes in body composition between July and mid-August (∑4SF-DW: 1.6 mm, p<0.001; ∑4SF-R: 2.4 mm, p=0.002; ∑5SF: 2.0 mm, p<0.002; ∑8SF: 3.8 mm, p=0.001; Reilly et al.: 0.4%, p=0.001; Durnin and Wormsley: 0.7%, p<0.001). Although all indicators were sensitive to detect small changes in body composition between training mesocycles, we advocate the use of the sum of 4 skinfolds by Reilly et al. to monitor changes in body composition in professional football players; if an estimate of percent body fat is required, the population-specific equation by Reilly et al. may be utilised.

Key words

anthropometry - sum of skinfolds - percentage body fat - sensitivity
 

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