title: Seasonal changes in multiple indices of body composition in professional football players.
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.
authors.affiliation: Formerly, Medical and Exercise Science Department, Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Wolverhampton,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iga
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drust
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult