title: Who runs the fastest? Anthropometric and physiological correlates of 20 m sprint performance in male soccer players.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship of 20 m sprint performance with anthropometrical and physiological parameters in male soccer players. A hundred and 81 soccer players from the region of Athens (age 23.4 ± 5.0 yrs, body mass 73.4 ± 7.7 kg, height 180.0 ± 5.9 cm, body fat (BF) 14.4 ± 3.6%), classified into quartiles according to 20 m sprint time (group A, 2.84-3.03 s; group B, 3.04-3.09 s; group C, 3.10-3.18 s; group D, 3.19-3.61 s), participated. Soccer players in group A were younger and had better performance in vertical jumps and in the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT, p < 0.05). Sprint time correlated to age (r = 0.27), body mass (r = 0.23), body height (r = 0.20), BF (r = 0.23), vertical jumps (-0.58 ≤ r ≤ -0.50) and the WAnT (-0.45 ≤ r ≤ -0.30, p < 0.05). In summary, the magnitude of correlations of sprint time with measures of lower limbs muscle strength and power (WAnT and jumps) was larger than with anthropometric measures (body mass and BF).
authors.affiliation: a Exercise Physiology Laboratory , Nikaia , Greece.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Nikolaidis
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences , Universidad Politecnica de Madrid , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: M A G
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ruano
authors.affiliation: c Research Group in Physical Exercise, Lifestyle and Health Promotion , Adventist University of Sao Paolo , Sao Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: c Research Group in Physical Exercise, Lifestyle and Health Promotion , Adventist University of Sao Paolo , Sao Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Portes
authors.affiliation: d Research Center for Performance Diagnostics and Training Advice , University of Wuppertal , Wuppertal , Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freiwald
authors.affiliation: e UFR-STAPS , Université de Picardie Jules Verne , Amiens , France.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Leprêtre
authors.affiliation: f Instutute of Primary Care , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knechtle
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011897:Random Allocation; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Acceleration; body composition; football; muscle strength; speed