Abstract:

Introduction: Playing position in football requires different work demands, however, it has not been investigated in relation to the morphological and metabolic dimensions together in junior football players. Aim: To compare the anthropometric, body composition, and metabolic characteristics of young football players according to the playing positions. Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 26 young male football players (15-18 years) underwent anthropometric measurements, besides anaerobic (Wingate) and aerobic power (ergospirometry) tests. A robust univariate model (p<0,05) and Cohen’s d were used to compare the playing positions. Results: Goalkeepers were taller than wingback (p= 0.033), midfielders (p=0.007), and forwards (p=0.035). In addition, defenders were taller than midfielders (p=0.031). Small to very large playing position effect sizes were observed for anthropometric and body composition variables (0.54 ≤ d ≤ 2.10). The wingback players presented higher relative V̇O2 values compared to forwards (p=0.008) and goalkeepers (p=0.042). In turn, the V̇O2 at the anaerobic threshold of the wingbacks was also superior compared to forwards (p=0.008) and goalkeepers (p=0.042). Moderate to large effect sizes were observed for the playing position in the ergospirometry variables (1.18 ≤ d ≤ 1.76) and small to large in the Wingate test variables (0.37 ≤ d ≤ 1.10). Conclusion: The effect of the playing position on some anthropometric and metabolic variables suggests a marked specialization of the goalkeepers and wingback.

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