Anthropometric and Somatotype Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: Differences among Categories, Subcategories, and Playing Position

Considering that anthropometric parameters are important factors in the performance of the soccer players, the aim of this study was to explore the differences in anthropometric and somatotype characteristics of Italian Youth Soccer Players. Weight, Height and Body Mass Index (BMI) and somatotype of 112 young soccer players, grouped in Giovanissimi "A" (14 yrs), "B" (13 yrs) and "C" (12 yrs), Allievi "A" (15 yrs) and "B" (16 yrs) and Juniores (>17 yrs), was evaluated. Statistical analysis tests were computed at 0.05 level of significance (p<0.05) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each somatotype was calculated between categories, sub-categories and player positions. Post hoc analysis was used to identify differences among means. Anthropometrics values of all subjects shown significant differences in categories, subcategories and player positions. Considering all subjects, the results shown a somatotype value of 2.8-3.8-2.9. Significant differences between "Giovanissimi" and "Allievi" (F(2,109)= 4.1, p<0.01) in endomorphy, among "Allievi" and the others categories (F(2,109)= 8.0, p<0.005) in mesomorphy, and among "Juniores" and the others categories (F(2,108)= 3.0, p=0.05) in ectomorphy components were found. Significant differences were found among Goalkeepers and the other players position in endomorphy (F(2,108)= 5.7, p≤0.001) and ectomorphy (F(2,108)= 3.6, p<0.01) components. The analysis of anthropometric characteristic of Italian youth soccer players indicate that players have high muscular value and low adiposity. This study showed the presence of somatotype differences for players position within categories also in the youngest age group and subcategories, in particular, in endomorphy component.