title: Somatotype and body composition analysis of Korean youth soccer players according to playing position for sports physiotherapy research.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the somatotype and physical characteristic differences among elite youth soccer players. [Subjects and Methods] In the present study, we evaluated twenty-two Korean youth soccer players in different playing positions. The playing positions were divided into forward (FW), midfielder (MF), defender (DF), and goalkeeper (GK). The participants' lean body mass (LBM), fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured and their somatotype determined according to the Heath-Carter method. [Results] The youth soccer players had twelve ectomorphic, eight mesomorphic, and two central predominant types. The DFs were taller than, but otherwise similar in physical characteristics to the FWs and MFs. The GKs were taller and heavier than the other players; however, their somatotype components were not significantly different. LBM, FFM, and BMR were significantly higher in GKs than in FWs and MFs. Although LBM, FFM, and BMR values between GKs and DFs showed large differences, they were not statistically significant. [Conclusion] The present study may contribute to our understanding of the differences in somatotype and body composition of Korean youth soccer players involved in sports physiotherapy research.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mee-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea ; Commercializations Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Lim-Kyu
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Sun
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health Science and Nanophysiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Deok
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Welfare, Wonkwang Health Science University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Honam University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Taekwondo Instructor Education, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Taek-Yong
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Combative Martial Arts Training, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Combative Martial Arts Training, College of Martial Arts, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Welfare, Yongin University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Junghwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Korean youth soccer players; Somatotype; Sports physiotherapy