# Body Composition and Physical Performance by Playing Position in Amateur Female Soccer Players
###### Abstract  
This study analyzed differences in body composition, jump performance, running speed, and ball-kicking speed according to playing position in amateur female soccer players. This cross-sectional study involved 160 females distributed into groups of goalkeepers (\(n=20\)), defenders (\(n=52\)), midfielders (\(n=52\)), and forwards (\(n=50\)), with a mean age of 27.1 \(\pm\) 3.23 years. They were assessed for body fat percentage (BFP), fat-free mass (FFM), squat jump, countermovement jump, drop jump (DJ), and running sprint speed for 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m, and ball-kicking speed (BKS) with both feet. Significant differences were found between groups in FFM (F\({}_{(3,96)}=17.4\); \(p=0.000\)) and BFP (F\({}_{(3,96)}=7.00\); \(p=0.000\)), with a higher FFM in midfielders with respect to goalkeepers (\(p=0.00\); ES \(1.77\); \(\Delta=27\%\)), defenders (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=2.14\); \(\Delta=26.5\%\)), and forwards (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.13\); \(\Delta=15.8\%\)), and a lower BFP in midfielders with respect to goalkeepers (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.41\); \(\Delta=26.7\%\)) and forwards (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.05\); \(\Delta=27\%\)). In addition, significant differences were found between groups in DJ (F\({}_{(3,96)}=20.8\); \(p=0.000\)), with midfielders achieving greater height compared to goalkeepers (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.94\); \(\Delta=25.1\%\)), defenders (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.59\); \(\Delta=19\%\)), and forwards (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.73\); \(\Delta=16.3\%\)). Significant differences were found between groups in BKS for dominant (F\({}_{(3,96)}=5.84\); \(p=0.001\)) and non-dominant (F\({}_{(3,96)}=3.29\); \(p=0.02\)) feet, and these were lower in goalkeepers than defenders (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=0.99\); \(\Delta=8.83\%\)) and midfielders (\(p=0.00\); ES \(=1.21\); \(\Delta=11.8\%\)). In conclusion, midfielders presented significantly better body composition and physical performance than other playing positions. s 2 In official matches, between 150 and 250 intense actions of short duration are executed, interspersed with periods of low-intensity actions [4]. Players perform between 1350 and 1650 movement changes, such as passing, tackling, catching, and dribbling [5], covering distances ranging from 10 km, of which 1.7 km are performed at high speeds (>18 km-h\({}^{-1}\)) [5]. Similarly, body fat, such as fat-free mass, should be controlled, as adequate levels allow players to move more efficiently during training and matches [6]. Conversely, alterations in body composition can lead to undesirable changes in physique, which could affect physical performance and injury risk [6]. However, it should be noted that the game's physical demands vary depending on the level of play (i.e., youth, amateur, professional) [1]. Nevertheless, several studies have reported [6; 7; 8] that there are differences in body composition and physical performance according to playing position in soccer players. In a study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [6] on professional male soccer players in the second division of the Mexican league, significant reductions (\(p<0.05\)) were observed in the body fat percentage, with it being higher in goalkeepers than in central defenders and forwards. In terms of physical performance, [PERSON] et al. [7] reported significantly improved results (\(p<0.05\)) in squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CM)), presenting a greater vertical jump height in defenders compared to center midfielders and forwards in amateur male soccer players. In contrast, [PERSON] et al. [9] reported no significant differences in linear acceleration in female college league soccer players according to playing position. Although there is evidence of differences in body composition and physical performance according to playing position in male and female soccer players [6; 7; 8; 9], these studies have been conducted at the professional level and in college league soccer players [8; 9] and are so far unknown in amateur female soccer players.