## 4 Discussion  
The objectives of the present study were (i) to analyze the differences in anthropometric parameters, body composition, and physical condition between sexes and playing position in soccer players and (ii) to relate anthropometric and body composition parameters with physical condition parameters according to sex. The findings of the present study were: (1) anthropometric and body composition characteristics differed between sexes; (2) fat percentage was higher in F than in M; (3) men soccer players showed better results in physical condition tests compared to women soccer players; and (4) there were significant relationships between anthropometric and physical condition parameters and physical condition tests, at a general level and differentiating between sexes. The evaluation of body composition in athletes can help optimize competitive performance, which is of interest to sports professionals [37]. Improved body composition in athletes is associated with improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and strength [38]. The data reported in the present study are similar to those reported in previous studies on soccer players [8; 28; 39]. The sex differences in anthropometry and body composition reported in the present study are in line with previous studies in soccer players [24] and other sports [40; 41; 42; 43]. [PERSON] et al. [24] observed in 18 elite men soccer players and 18 elite women soccer players significant sex differences in stretch stature, body mass, fold sum, fat mass, muscle mass, and fat-free mass. Due to the difference in level, body composition values in women soccer players were lower compared to the present study. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [25] reported on a sample of 43 elite soccer players (men, n = 23; women, n = 20) differences in body mass, stretch stature, fat mass, and fat percentage. However, the previous authors used the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry technique. [PERSON] et al. [44] reported that men soccer players were taller, heavier, and had lower fat mass and body fat percentage, and higher skeletal muscle mass compared to women soccer players. Gender differences in body composition are evident at an early stage and are most significant during puberty [45]. Men have greater muscle weight, larger bones, and reduced fat in the extremities, whereas women have a more peripheral fat distribution. Sex differences in body composition are mainly attributed to the action of sex steroid hormones as they drive dimorphisms during pubertal development. These gender differences continue throughout life [46]. Regarding sex differences in physical fitness, [PERSON] et al. [27] reported, in a sample of 76 soccer players (29 women and 47 men, aged 17-34 years) from the German Bundesliga (the highest level of the German soccer league), differences in height in CMJ, SJ, and maximum distance in an incremental test, showing a relation to the results of the present study. Despite the high level, women soccer players in the present study obtained better results in CMJ performance compared to the women players in the previous study. On the other hand, [PERSON] et al. [47] reported, on a sample of 68 (34 female and 34 male players) Spanish first division and youth soccer players, that men soccer players showed higher values in the Yo-Yo test, CMJ and sprint compared to women soccer players. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [48] reported sex differences in the vertical jump, speed, medicine ball throw, and 20 m multi-stage shuttle run. The observed sex differences in the vertical jump could be due to a lower relative concentric vertical force and eccentric rate of force development in women when jumping [27]. This may also be partially explained by differences in lower extremity muscle morphology, such as muscle size and pennation angle [49].