Comparison of Physical Fitness of Elite Female Soccer Players According to Their Playing Positions

Abstract

Purpose: Although many studies have fully explained the fitness requirements of male soccer players in respect to their respective in-field positions, today a lack of studies that focus attention on the women's aspect still exists. Therefore, this study focused on assessing and comparing the physical fitness characteristics of female soccer players in different in-field positions, including forwards, midfielders, and defenders. Material and Methods: For this purpose, 19 female national team soccer players were included in the study and were grouped according to their playing positions. Body weight, body mass index and body composition were measured by using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Flexibility, static and dynamic balance, vertical jump, horizontal jump, agility, sprint, isokinetic strength and aerobic endurance performances were measured respectively with sit-and-reach test, Flamingo balance test, Computer Assisted Electronic Balance Assessment, vertical jump test, horizontal jump test, t-test, 20 m sprint test, isokinetic dynamometer, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1. Results: Anthropometric characteristics as well as physical parameters within elite female soccer players present no significant difference between playing positions (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that modern soccer training generally produces well-rounded players, which minimizes the physical differences among different playing positions.

Keywords

• Female Soccer
• Playing Positions
• Physical Fitness
• Anthropometry
• Isokinetic Strength

Supporting Institution

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Statement

The ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Eastern Mediterranean University Health Subcommittee, located in Famagusta, in June 2024 (approval number: 2024/0124).

Thanks

The authors have no acknowledgments to declare.

Comparison of Physical Fitness of Elite Female Soccer Players According to Their Playing Positions

Abstract

Amaç: Erkek futbolcuların sahadaki mevkilerine göre fiziksel uygunluk gereksinimleri birçok çalışmada ayrıntılı olarak incelenmiş olmasına rağmen, kadın futbolcular üzerine odaklanan çalışmalar halen sınırlıdır. Bu nedenle, bu çalışma forvet, orta saha ve savunma mevkilerinde oynayan kadın futbolcuların fiziksel uygunluk özelliklerini değerlendirmeyi ve karşılaştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 19 kadın milli takım futbolcusu dahil edilmiş ve oyuncular mevkilerine göre gruplandırılmıştır. Vücut ağırlığı, vücut kitle indeksi ve vücut kompozisyonu biyoelektrik empedans analizi ile ölçülmüştür. Esneklik, statik ve dinamik denge, dikey sıçrama, yatay sıçrama, çeviklik, sürat, izokinetik kuvvet ve aerobik dayanıklılık sırasıyla otur-uzan testi, Flamingo denge testi, Bilgisayar Destekli Elektronik Denge Değerlendirme, dikey sıçrama testi, yatay sıçrama testi, t-testi, 20 m sprint testi, izokinetik dinamometre ve Yo-Yo Aralıklı Toparlanma Testi Seviye 1 ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Elit kadın futbolcuların antropometrik özellikleri ve fiziksel parametreleri oynadıkları mevkilere göre anlamlı farklılık göstermemiştir (p>0.05). Sonuç: Bulgularımız modern futbol antrenmanlarının oyuncuları çok yönlü geliştirdiğini ve farklı mevkiler arasında fiziksel farklılıkların en aza indiğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Kadın Futbolu
• Mevkiler
• Fiziksel Uygunluk
• Antropometri
• İzokinetik Kuvvet

Supporting Institution

Yazarlar, bu makalenin araştırma, yazarlık ve/veya yayımlanması için herhangi bir mali destek almamıştır.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmanın etik onayı, Haziran 2024’te Gazimağusa’da bulunan Doğu Akdeniz Üniversitesi Sağlık Alt Komitesi’nden alınmıştır (onay numarası: 2024/0124).

Thanks

Yazarların teşekkür beyanı yoktur.

References

1. Inside FIFA. Inside FIFA. 2023 [cited 2024 Dec 4]. FIFA releases global women’s football landscape survey report.
2. Narayanan S, Pifer ND. A data-driven framing of player and team performance in U.S. Women’s soccer. Front Sport Act Living . 2023;5:1125528.
3. Milanović Z, Sporis G, James N, Trajković N, Ignjatovic A, Sarmento H, et al. Physiological Demands, Morphological Characteristics, Physical Abilities and Injuries of Female Soccer Players. J Hum Kinet. 2017;2017(60):77–83.
4. Stankovic M, Trajković N, Macak D, Đorđević D, Lazić A, Milanović Z. Effects of linear and change of direction high-intensity interval training on physical performance of elite female soccer players. Biol Sport. 2024;41(4):31–9.
5. Nikolaidis P. Physical Fitness in Female Soccer Players by Player Position: A Focus on Anaerobic Power. Hum Mov. 2014;15(2):74–9.
6. Kammoun M, Trabelsi O, Gharbi A, Masmoudi L, Ghorbel S, Tabka Z, et al. Anthropometric and physical fitness profiles of Tunisian female soccer players: Associations with field position. Acta Gymnica. 2020;50(3):130–7.
7. Hasegawa N, Kuzuhara K. Physical Characteristics of Collegiate Women’s Football Players. Footb Sci. 2015;12:51–7.
8. Booysen M, Gradidge P, Constantinou D. Anthropometric and Motor Characteristics of South African National Level Female Soccer Players. J Hum Kinet. 2019;66(1):121–9.

9. Vescovi J, Brown T, Murray T. Positional characteristics of physical performance in Division I college female soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2006;46(2):221–6.
10. Firdausi D, Simbolon M. Physical Fitness of Female Soccer Players Based on Playing Position. J Pendidik Jasm dan Olahraga. 2021;6(1):102–9.
11. Goranovic K, Lilić A, Siniša K, Eler N, Anđelić M, Joksimović M. Morphological characteristics, body composition and explosive power in female football professional players. 2021;21(1):81–7.
12. Villaseca-Vicuña R, Molina-Sotomayor E, Zabaloy S, Gonzalez-Jurado JA. Anthropometric Profile and Physical Fitness Performance Comparison by Game Position in the Chile Women’s Senior National Football Team. Vol. 11, Applied Sciences. 2021. p. 2004.
13. Lockie R, Moreno M, Lazar A, Orjalo A, Giuliano D, Risso F, et al. The Physical and Athletic Performance Characteristics of Division I Collegiate Female Soccer Players by Position. J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Jul 1;32(2):1.
14. Haugen T, Tønnessen E, Hem E, Leirstein S, Seiler S. VO2max Characteristics of Elite Female Soccer Players, 1989-2007. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014;9(3):515–21.
15. Ingebrigtsen J, Dillern T, Shalfawi SAI. Aerobic Capacities and Anthropometric Characteristics of Elite Female Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(12):3352–7.
16. Sedano Campo S, Vaeyens R, Philippaerts R, Redondo JC, Cuadrado G. The Anthropometric and anaerobic fitness profile of elite and non-elite female soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2009;49(4):387–94.
17. Romero-Caballero A, Varela Olalla D, Loëns-Gutiérrez C. Fitness evaluation in young and amateur soccer players: Reference values for vertical jump and aerobic fitness in men and women. Sci Sports. 2020;36(2):141.e1-141.e7.
18. Bradley P, Bendiksen M, A D, Mohr M, Wilkie A, Datson N, et al. The Application of the Yo‐Yo Intermittent Endurance Level 2 Test to Elite Female Soccer Populations. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014;24(1):43–54.
19. Sepúlveda Guzmán C, Fernández V, Silvestre R, Giancáspero F, Aedo-Muñoz E, Bustamante-Garrido A, et al. Isokinetic strength in female soccer players by player position. ISBS Proceedings Archive. 2023;41(1):97.
20. Haugen T, Tønnessen E, Seiler S. Speed and Countermovement-Jump Characteristics of Elite Female Soccer Players, 1995-2010. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2012;7(4):340–9.
21. Gredin NV, Okholm Kryger K, McCall A, Solstad BE, Torstveit MK, Massey A, et al. Psychology research in women’s soccer: a scoping review. Sci Med Footb. 2023;1–11.
22. Chauchat JR, Kirmizigil B, Ince N. Is Anthropometry Related To Motor Abilities and Soccer Skills in U13 Players? Rev Bras Med do Esporte. 2023;30(03).
23. Salles P, Vasconcellos F, Salles G, Fonseca R, Dantas E. Validity and Reproducibility of the Sargent Jump Test in the Assessment of Explosive Strength in Soccer Players. J Hum Kinet. 2012;33(1):115–21.
24. Kirmizigil B, Chauchat JR, Yalciner O, Iyigun G, Angin E, Baltaci G. The Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in Recovering From Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Crossover Study. J Sport Rehabil. 2019;29(4):385-393.
25. Zabit Özdemir F, İyigün G. Is There A Difference In Balance Functions Between Breast Cancer Survivor Women And Healthy Women? Tt - Mastektomi Yapilmiş Meme Kanserli Kadinlar İle Sağlikli Kadinlar Arasinda Denge Fonksiyonlari Açisindan Fark Var Midir? Türk Fiz ve Rehabil Derg. 2022;33(3):203–9.
26. Kirmizigil B, Ozcaldiran B, Colakoglu M. Effects of three different stretching techniques on vertical jumping performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2014;28(5):1263–71.
27. Nagai T, Schilaty N, Laskowski E, Hewett T. Hop tests can result in higher limb symmetry index values than isokinetic strength and leg press tests in patients following ACL reconstruction. Knee Surgery, Sport Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020;28(3):816–22.
28. Deprez D, Coutts A, Lenoir M, Fransen J, Pion J, Philippaerts R, et al. Reliability and validity of the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 in young soccer players. J Sports Sci. 2014;32(10):903–10.
29. Bangsbo J, Iaia FM, Krustrup P. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. Sport Med. 2008;38(1):37–51.
30. Hoffman J. Evaluation of a Reactive Agility Assessment Device in Youth Football Players. J strength Cond Res. 2020 Oct 9;34(12):3311–5.
31. Schons P, Preissler AAB, Oliveira R, Brito JP, Clemente FM, de Vargas GD, et al. Comparisons and correlations between the anthropometric profile and physical performance of professional female and male soccer players: Individualities that should be considered in training. Int J Sport Sci & Coach. 2022;18(6):2004–14.
32. Mujika I, Santisteban J, Impellizzeri F, Castagna C. Fitness determinants of success in men’s and women’s football. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(2):107–14.
33. Krustrup P, Mohr M, Ellingsgaard H, Bangsbo J. Physical Demands during an Elite Female Soccer Game: Importance of Training Status. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;37(7):1242–8.
34. Zheng Y. A study of positional flexibility and versatility training in football players. Appl Math Nonlinear Sci. 2024;9(1):1–19.
35. Brígido Fernández I, García-Muro SJ, Charneco-Salguero G, Cárdenas-Rebollo JM, Ortega-Latorre Y, Carrión-Otero O, et al. Knee Isokinetic Profiles and Reference Values of Professional Female Soccer Players. Sports. 2022;10(12):204.
36. Śliwowski R, Grygorowicz M, Hojszyk R, Jadczak Ł. The isokinetic strength profile of elite soccer players according to playing position. PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0182177.
37. Risberg M, Steffen K, Nilstad A, Myklebust G, Kristianslund E, Moltubakk M, et al. Normative Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscle Strength Values for Female, Healthy, Elite Handball and Football Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2018;32(8):1.
38. Moreno-Azze A, Roldán P, Pradas de la Fuente F, Falcón-Miguel D, Gómez-Carmona CD. Differences in Accelerations and Decelerations Across Intensities in Professional Soccer Players by Playing Position and Match-Training Day. Applied Sciences. 2025;15(16):8936.
39. Alimoradi M, Sahebozamani M, Hosseini E, Konrad A, Noorian S. The Effect on Flexibility and a Variety of Performance Tests of the Addition of 4 Weeks of Soleus Stretching to a Regular Dynamic Stretching Routine in Amateur Female Soccer Players. Sports. 2023 Jul 19;11(7):138.
40. Cejudo A, Armada-Zarco J, Ayala F, Sainz de Baranda P. Prediction of ACL-tear by lower limbs muscle strength and flexibility: a prospective cohort study in 95 female soccer players. Res Sports Med. 2023;32(4):1–23.
41. Taketomi S, Kawaguchi K, Mizutani Y, Takei S, Yamagami R, Kono K, et al. Intrinsic Risk Factors for Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Young Female Soccer Players: A Prospective Cohort Study. Am J Sports Med. 2024;52(12):2972–9.
42. Bekris E, Georgios K, Konstantinos A, Gissis I, Papadopoulos C, Aristomenis S. Proprioception and balance training can improve amateur soccer players’ technical skills. J Phys Educ Sport. 2012;12(1):81–9.
43. İşbilir M, Zusa A, Oral O, Cabuk R. Relationship between Muscle Strength of Dominant and Non-Dominant Ankle and Dynamic Balance in Football Players. Balt J Sport Heal Sci. 2015;3(98):22–8.
44. Polat M, Seyhan R, Timurtas E. Profesyonel futbolcularda alt ekstremite kas kuvveti asimetrisi, denge ve ayak bileği yaralanma riski arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. 2021;8(2):178–86.