Differences in Body Composition in Football Players by Playing Position

The aim of this study was to examine differences in body composition among football players according to their playing positions. The study employed a cross-sectional comparative design and included a sample of 50 active football players from FC Sileks, aged 17–30 years, who were regularly engaged in training and competitive match play. The sample comprised 50 outfield players classified into three positional groups: defenders (n = 20), midfielders (n = 14), and forwards (n = 16). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis with an InBody 720 body composition analyser. Eight body composition variables were evaluated: skeletal muscle mass (kg), skeletal muscle mass (%), bone mineral content (kg), bone mineral content (%), body fat mass (kg), body fat percentage (%), fat-free mass (kg), and body mass index (BMI). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Games– Howell post hoc comparisons. Prior to inferential analyses, the assumptions of normality (Shapiro–Wilk test) and homogeneity of variances (Levene’s test) were verified. Effect sizes were estimated using partial eta squared (η²ₚ). The results revealed statistically significant multivariate differences in body composition among players occupying different playing positions. At the univariate level, significant differences were observed in skeletal muscle mass (kg), bone mineral content (kg), body fat mass (kg), body fat percentage (%), fat-free mass (kg), and body mass index. Defenders demonstrated higher absolute values for these variables than midfielders and forwards, whereas no significant positional differences were observed in the percentage of skeletal muscle mass or bone mineral content. These findings indicate that body composition represents an important component of position-specific profiling in football and may contribute to more effective talent identification, player monitoring, and the individualization of training programmes.