Anthropometric measurements and their relationship to performance in modern women's football, a comparative study between Algerian and French teams 16-20 years
A summary of the research:
This research study compared the physical measurements (known as anthropometric characteristics) of young female football players aged 16 to 20 from Algeria and France. Ninety players in total, from three clubs in each country, had their height, weight, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, muscle mass, and bone mass measured. The main goal was to understand if there were significant physical differences between players from these two environments and how these differences might impact player selection and athletic performance. The study also highlighted the significant global growth of women's football and the need for more specific research on female athletes to improve training and talent development.
The study found significant differences in weight and bone mass, with French players showing higher averages in both categories compared to Algerian players. French players also had a slightly, but significantly, higher skeletal muscle percentage. However, there were no notable differences found in height, overall muscle mass (in kg), or body fat percentage between the two groups. These findings suggest that the differences observed in weight, bone mass, and skeletal muscle percentage are likely influenced by factors such as environment, diet, and training intensity and methods. The research emphasizes that understanding these physical differences is crucial for optimizing how female football talent is identified and developed.
Here are three practical and actionable takeaways from the article's results for coaches and administrators in women's soccer:
Invest in Comprehensive Physical Development Programs with a Focus on Strength and Nutrition: The study revealed that French players had significantly higher weight, bone mass, and skeletal muscle percentage compared to Algerian players. The authors attribute these differences to advanced conditioning and nutritional support in the French environment. This means coaches and administrators should prioritize and invest in structured strength and conditioning programs that aim to build lean muscle mass and enhance overall physical robustness. Equally important is providing guidance on proper nutrition, as diet plays a crucial role in supporting these physical developments and can impact weight and bone density.
Implement Targeted, High-Impact Training for Bone Health: A key finding was that French players exhibited significantly higher bone mass. The research notes that increased bone density can be influenced by better nutrition and high-impact training. For coaches, this translates into incorporating specific training modalities such as plyometrics (jumping exercises), dynamic strength training, and other weight-bearing activities into practice routines. These types of exercises are known to stimulate bone growth and density, which is particularly beneficial for female players, especially during the critical 16-20 year age range when their anthropometric characteristics are stabilizing. Stronger bones can contribute to injury prevention and overall athletic durability.
Embrace Data-Driven Talent Development and Individualized Training: The article highlights that research on young female footballers is "under-researched" and that there's a lack of literature on talent identification in this group. The study itself, by comparing two groups, shows that physical characteristics can vary significantly based on environment and training methods. Therefore, coaches and administrators should actively collect and analyze anthropometric data (like the measurements taken in this study: height, weight, body composition, bone mass) for their own players. This data can then be used to create individualized training plans that address specific developmental needs, optimize talent identification processes, and ensure training aligns with the unique physical demands and potential of each female athlete.
Authors: Amina Attal & Mouloud Hadjidj
You can read the entire article here.
