Publicação
Energy intake, body composition and physical performance in youth soccer players: descriptive and correlational analysis
| Resumo: | This dissertation in Sports Training looks at body composition in young soccer players, focusing on how it relates to their physical performance and energy intake, which are important for their development and sports performance. Objectives: The main aim of this dissertation was to analyze how body composition is related to physical performance and energy intake in young soccer players. The first study aimed to investigate changes in body composition during the pre-season and to examine its relationship with performance in vertical jump tests (CMJ and SJ). The second study explored how energy intake is related to body composition at three different points during the sports season, allowing observation of possible variations and associations between food intake and body composition parameters. Methods: In the first study, 22 male under-19 soccer players from a Portuguese first-division team were followed over a 4-week pre-season period. Body composition (body fat percentage, muscle mass, and body weight) and vertical jump performance (Squat Jump [SJ] and Countermovement Jump [CMJ]) were measured at the beginning and end of the period. Paired t-tests were used to compare values over time, and Pearson correlations were used to explore relationships between body composition and jump performance. In the second study, 22 male under-19 soccer players from a Portuguese first-division team were assessed at three points during the 2023/2024 season: July, October, and May. At each time point, body composition was assessed using anthropometric methods, and a 3-day food diary was completed. Repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlations were used for data analysis. Results: In the first study, the players showed a significant decrease in fat mass (p = 0.003) and an increase in muscle mass (p = 0.001). Performance in the CMJ (p = 0.014) and SJ (p = 0.020) also improved. Body weight did not show significant changes (p = 0.250). Moderate negative correlations were found between fat mass and CMJ at the beginning (r = -0.43) and the end (r = -0.41) of the pre season, but these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the second article, body weight showed a very strong correlation with muscle mass in July (r = 0.93), October (r = 0.94), and May (r = 0.91). Moderate correlations were found between body weight and fat mass (r = 0.50 to 0.66) and between body weight and skinfold thickness (r = 0.42 to 0.65). Energy intake was strongly correlated with protein intake (r = 0.91) and carbohydrate intake (r = 0.94). However, no significant correlations were observed between energy intake and fat or muscle mass. In October, muscle mass showed a moderate negative correlation with energy intake (r = -0.44; p > 0.05), suggesting that players with higher lean mass reported lower energy consumption. Conclusion: In the 1st article, it was found that a reduction in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass during the pre-season are associated with improvements in jumping performance, suggesting relevant physical benefits for young soccer players. In the 2nd article, a strong relationship was observed between body weight and muscle mass, but energy intake did not show consistent associations with body composition throughout the season. Overall, this dissertation reinforces the importance of monitoring body composition and eating habits in young athletes in order to optimize physical performance and support their development. |
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| Autores principais: | Lemos, João Alexandre Teixeira |
| Assunto: | Body composition Youth soccer players Vertical jump Energy intake |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso embargado |
| Instituição associada: | Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Científico IPVC |
| Resumo: | This dissertation in Sports Training looks at body composition in young soccer players, focusing on how it relates to their physical performance and energy intake, which are important for their development and sports performance. Objectives: The main aim of this dissertation was to analyze how body composition is related to physical performance and energy intake in young soccer players. The first study aimed to investigate changes in body composition during the pre-season and to examine its relationship with performance in vertical jump tests (CMJ and SJ). The second study explored how energy intake is related to body composition at three different points during the sports season, allowing observation of possible variations and associations between food intake and body composition parameters. Methods: In the first study, 22 male under-19 soccer players from a Portuguese first-division team were followed over a 4-week pre-season period. Body composition (body fat percentage, muscle mass, and body weight) and vertical jump performance (Squat Jump [SJ] and Countermovement Jump [CMJ]) were measured at the beginning and end of the period. Paired t-tests were used to compare values over time, and Pearson correlations were used to explore relationships between body composition and jump performance. In the second study, 22 male under-19 soccer players from a Portuguese first-division team were assessed at three points during the 2023/2024 season: July, October, and May. At each time point, body composition was assessed using anthropometric methods, and a 3-day food diary was completed. Repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlations were used for data analysis. Results: In the first study, the players showed a significant decrease in fat mass (p = 0.003) and an increase in muscle mass (p = 0.001). Performance in the CMJ (p = 0.014) and SJ (p = 0.020) also improved. Body weight did not show significant changes (p = 0.250). Moderate negative correlations were found between fat mass and CMJ at the beginning (r = -0.43) and the end (r = -0.41) of the pre season, but these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the second article, body weight showed a very strong correlation with muscle mass in July (r = 0.93), October (r = 0.94), and May (r = 0.91). Moderate correlations were found between body weight and fat mass (r = 0.50 to 0.66) and between body weight and skinfold thickness (r = 0.42 to 0.65). Energy intake was strongly correlated with protein intake (r = 0.91) and carbohydrate intake (r = 0.94). However, no significant correlations were observed between energy intake and fat or muscle mass. In October, muscle mass showed a moderate negative correlation with energy intake (r = -0.44; p > 0.05), suggesting that players with higher lean mass reported lower energy consumption. Conclusion: In the 1st article, it was found that a reduction in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass during the pre-season are associated with improvements in jumping performance, suggesting relevant physical benefits for young soccer players. In the 2nd article, a strong relationship was observed between body weight and muscle mass, but energy intake did not show consistent associations with body composition throughout the season. Overall, this dissertation reinforces the importance of monitoring body composition and eating habits in young athletes in order to optimize physical performance and support their development. |
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