Body composition of young soccer playersKovačević, Erol (Avtor) Čaušević, Denis (Avtor) Spicer, Seth (Avtor) Kovač, Siniša (Avtor) Doder, Ivor (Avtor) Likić, Slavenko (Avtor) Metikoš, Boris (Avtor) BMIanthropometryfitnessbody fatsoccerPurpose:The main aim of this study was to examine and analyse the body composi-tion of young soccer players across different age groups.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 126 young soccer players divided into age categories: U15 – 53 players (age=14.68±0.47); U17 – 51 players (age=16.47±0.50); U19 – 22 players (age=18.05±0.38). The subjects’ height was mea-sured using an anthropometer, while their body composition was measured using the TANITA BC-420MA digital scale. Results: On average, soccer players in the U15 group had significantly lower body height, weight, body mass index and fat free mass than U17 and U19 players, but had a higher percentage of body fat (p < 0.05). In addition to the percent of body fat mass, which tends to significantly decrease with age, the results also demonstrate significant non-linear increases in body height, weight, and lean body composition concurrent with the players’ ages.Conclusion:These results indicate that younger soccer players have lower abso-lute values of morphological characteristics compared to senior players.20222024-04-15 14:41:54Neznano18684slThe Authors