THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY COMPOSITION AND MOTOR ABILITIES IN YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS (U10 CATEGORY)
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Sep 1, 2026
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Đorđe Savić
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5739-0018
Pavle Slavković
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5391-146X
Uroš Nikolić
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9737-5525
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5739-0018
Pavle Slavković
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5391-146X
Uroš Nikolić
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9737-5525
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between body composition (body fat and skeletal muscle percentage) and fundamental motor abilities motor abilities (speed, explosive power, agility) in 18 male youth football players (U10) from FC Vitez from Serbia. Body composition was assessed via bioelectrical impedance, while motor performance was evaluated using a 20m sprint (5m/10m splits), a jump test battery (squat jump, countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arm swing, standing long jump) and agility tests (T-test, Illinois, slalom). Body fat percentage demonstrated a strong negative correlation with all explosive power tests, peaking with the Squat Jump (r = -0.80, p < 0.01). It correlated positively with 10m (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) and 20m (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) sprint times and all agility scores, meaning higher fat associated to poorer performance. Skeletal muscle percentage showed a strong positive correlation with explosive power (Squat jump r = 0.86, p < 0.01) and a strong negative correlation with sprint and agility results (p<0.05) (higher muscle mass associated to faster times). No one parameter significantly correlated with the short 5m sprint (p>0.05). Body composition is closely related to athletic capacity in U10 football players. Excess adiposity acts as a passive inertial load that hinders acceleration and maneuvering, whereas developed muscle mass is shows a strong positive relationship with explosive force.
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Keywords
correlation, locomotion, anthropometry, preadolescents
References
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12. Hachana, Y., Chaabène, H., Nabli, M. A., Attia, A., Moualhi, J., Farhat, N., & Elloumi, M. (2013). Test-retest reliability, criterion-related validity, and minimal detectable change of the Illinois agility test in male team sport athletes. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27(10), 2752–2759. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828906c0
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14. Hermassi, S., Konukman, F., Al-Marri, S. S., Hayes, L. D., Bartels, T., & Schwesig, R. (2024). Associations between biological maturation, physical performance, postural control, and mathematical achievement in youth soccer players. PLoS ONE, 19(3), Article e0298301. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298301
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17. Kahraman, M. Z., & Arslan, E. (2023). The relationship between body composition and biomotor performance parameters in U18 football players. Physical Education of Students, 27(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.15561/20754671.2023.0106
18. Koltai, M., Gusztafik, Á., Nagyváradi, K., Szeiler, B., Halasi, S., & Lepeš, J. (2021). The connection between the agility of adolescent soccer players and their body composition. Facta Universitatis, Series: Physical Education and Sport, 19(3), 577–588. https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES211025055K
19. Leão, C., Silva, A. F., Badicu, G., Clemente, F. M., Carvutto, R., Greco, G., Cataldi, S., & Fischetti, F. (2022). Body composition interactions with physical fitness: A cross-sectional study in youth soccer players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), Article 3598. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063598
20. Mijalković, S., Mladenović, K., & Ilić, T. (2023). Body composition and motor abilities of young football players. Journal of Anthropology of Sport and Physical Education, 7(2), 19–22. https://doi.org/10.26773/jaspe.230404
21. Milanović, Z., Sporiš, G., Trajković, N., James, N., & Šamija, K. (2013). Effects of a 12 week SAQ training programme on agility with and without the ball among young soccer players. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 12(1), 97–103.
22. Mohr, M., Krustrup, P., & Bangsbo, J. (2003). Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(7), 439–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000101897
23. Pauole, K., Madole, K., Garhammer, J., Lacourse, M., & Rozenek, R. (2000). Reliability and validity of the T-test as a measure of agility, leg power, and leg speed in college-aged men and women. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 14(4), 443–450. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2000)014<0443:RAVOTT>2.0.CO;2
24. Peñailillo, L., Espíldora, F., Jannas-Vela, S., Mujika, I., & Zbinden-Foncea, H. (2016). Muscle Strength and Speed Performance in Youth Soccer Players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 50(1), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2015-0157
25. Pérez-López, A., Sinovas, M. C., Álvarez-Valverde, I., & Valades, D. (2015). Relationship between body composition and vertical jump performance in young Spanish soccer players. Journal of Sport and Human Performance, 3(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.12922/jshp.0055.2015
26. Prieto Valle, A. (2020). Influence of body composition in the physical fitness of 10- to 11-year-old football players. Atena Journal of Sports Sciences, 2, Article 3.
27. Sarmento, H., Clemente, F. M., Araújo, D., Davids, K., McRobert, A., & Figueiredo, A. (2020). What performance analysts need to know about research trends in association football (2012–2016): A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 50(4), 799–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01186-6
28. Sassi, R. H., Dardouri, W., Yahmed, M. H., Gmada, N., Mahfoudhi, M. E., & Gharbi, Z. (2009). Relative and absolute reliability of a modified agility T-test and its relationship with vertical jump and straight sprint. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 23(6), 1644–1651. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b425d2
29. Slinde, F., Suber, C., Suber, L., Edwén, C. E., & Svantesson, U. (2008). Test-retest reliability of three different countermovement jumping tests. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22(2), 640–644. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181660475
30. Slimani, M., Znazen, H., Miarka, B., & Bragazzi, N. L. (2019). Maximum oxygen uptake of male soccer players according to their competitive level, playing position and age group: Implication from a network meta-analysis. Journal of Human Kinetics, 66(1), 233–245. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2018-0050
31. Sporis, G., Jukic, I., Milanovic, L., & Vucetic, V. (2010). Reliability and factorial validity of agility tests for soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24(3), 679–686. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c4d321
32. Turner, A. N., & Stewart, P. F. (2014). Strength and conditioning for soccer players. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 36(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000069
33. Weiner, J. P., & Lourie, J. A. (1969). Human biology: A guide to field methods. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
34. Yildiz, S., Ates, O., Gelen, E., Çirak, E., Bakici, D., Sert, V., & Kayihan, G. (2018). The Relationship between Start Speed, Acceleration and Speed Performances in Soccer. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 6(8), 1697-1700.
2. American College of Sports Medicine. (2021). ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (11th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
3. Aristotelis, G., Evangelos, B., Stergios, K., Ioannis, G., & Foteini, A. (2014). Does body fat affect performance indicators in youth soccer? British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 5(1), 90–97. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJESBS/2015/12711
4. Atabaş, E. G., Öksüzoğlu, A. Y., Türel, S., & Akça, S. (2020). The relationship of polymorphism with explosive forces in ACTN3, ACE, and UCP3 genes in soccer players. Progress in Nutrition, 22(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v22i3.9785
5. Atakan, M. M., Unver, E., Demırcı, N., Cinemre, Ş. A., Bulut, S., & Turnagol, H. H. (2017). Effect of body composition on fitness performance in young male football players. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 19(1), 54–59. https://doi.org/10.15314/tsed.311400
6. Bloomfield, J., Polman, R., & O'Donoghue, P. (2007). Physical demands of different positions in FA Premier League soccer. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 6(1), 63–70.
7. Daga, F. A., Agostino, S., & Cazzoli, S. (2023). The impact of age and body composition on physical fitness and soccer skills among pre-pubertal players in "mixed-age" teams. Annals of “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati. Fascicle XV, Physical Education and Sport Management, 2, 38–48. https://doi.org/10.35219/efsm.2023.2.05
8. Esco, M. R., Fedewa, M. V., Cicone, Z. S., Sinelnikov, O. A., Sekulic, D., & Holmes, C. J. (2018). Field-based performance tests are related to body fat percentage and fat-free mass, but not body mass index, in youth soccer players. Sports, 6(4), Article 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6040105
9. Espada, M. C., Jardim, M., Assunção, R., Estaca, A., Ferreira, C. C., Pessôa Filho, D. M., Ribeiro, J., & Santos, F. J. (2023). Lower limb unilateral and bilateral strength asymmetry in high-level male senior and professional football players. Healthcare, 11(11), Article 1579. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111579
10. França, C., Gouveia, É. R., Martins, F., Ihle, A., Henriques, R., Marques, A., Sarmento, H., Field, A., & Lopes, H. (2024). Lower-body power, body composition, speed, and agility performance among youth soccer players. Sports, 12(5), Article 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12050135
11. García-Pinillos, F., Ruiz-Ariza, A., Moreno del Castillo, R., & Latorre-Román, P. Á. (2015). Impact of limited hamstring flexibility on vertical jump, kicking speed, sprint, and agility in young football players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(12), 1293–1297. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1022573
12. Hachana, Y., Chaabène, H., Nabli, M. A., Attia, A., Moualhi, J., Farhat, N., & Elloumi, M. (2013). Test-retest reliability, criterion-related validity, and minimal detectable change of the Illinois agility test in male team sport athletes. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27(10), 2752–2759. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828906c0
13. Hermassi, S., Bartels, T., Hayes, L. D., & Schwesig, R. (2022). Fitness, fatness, and academic attainment in male schoolchildren from a soccer academy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), Article 3106. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053106
14. Hermassi, S., Konukman, F., Al-Marri, S. S., Hayes, L. D., Bartels, T., & Schwesig, R. (2024). Associations between biological maturation, physical performance, postural control, and mathematical achievement in youth soccer players. PLoS ONE, 19(3), Article e0298301. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298301
15. Heyward, V. H., & Wagner, D. R. (2004). Applied body composition assessment (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.
16. Infantes, S. C., Silva, A. F., Hermoso, V. M. S., Jabalera, J. O., Clemente, F. M., & Fernández, F. T. G. (2025). Assessing the impact of body composition and physical fitness parameters on performance prediction in youth soccer players. Retos: Nuevas Tendencije u Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, 73, 300–313.
17. Kahraman, M. Z., & Arslan, E. (2023). The relationship between body composition and biomotor performance parameters in U18 football players. Physical Education of Students, 27(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.15561/20754671.2023.0106
18. Koltai, M., Gusztafik, Á., Nagyváradi, K., Szeiler, B., Halasi, S., & Lepeš, J. (2021). The connection between the agility of adolescent soccer players and their body composition. Facta Universitatis, Series: Physical Education and Sport, 19(3), 577–588. https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES211025055K
19. Leão, C., Silva, A. F., Badicu, G., Clemente, F. M., Carvutto, R., Greco, G., Cataldi, S., & Fischetti, F. (2022). Body composition interactions with physical fitness: A cross-sectional study in youth soccer players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), Article 3598. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063598
20. Mijalković, S., Mladenović, K., & Ilić, T. (2023). Body composition and motor abilities of young football players. Journal of Anthropology of Sport and Physical Education, 7(2), 19–22. https://doi.org/10.26773/jaspe.230404
21. Milanović, Z., Sporiš, G., Trajković, N., James, N., & Šamija, K. (2013). Effects of a 12 week SAQ training programme on agility with and without the ball among young soccer players. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 12(1), 97–103.
22. Mohr, M., Krustrup, P., & Bangsbo, J. (2003). Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(7), 439–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000101897
23. Pauole, K., Madole, K., Garhammer, J., Lacourse, M., & Rozenek, R. (2000). Reliability and validity of the T-test as a measure of agility, leg power, and leg speed in college-aged men and women. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 14(4), 443–450. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2000)014<0443:RAVOTT>2.0.CO;2
24. Peñailillo, L., Espíldora, F., Jannas-Vela, S., Mujika, I., & Zbinden-Foncea, H. (2016). Muscle Strength and Speed Performance in Youth Soccer Players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 50(1), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2015-0157
25. Pérez-López, A., Sinovas, M. C., Álvarez-Valverde, I., & Valades, D. (2015). Relationship between body composition and vertical jump performance in young Spanish soccer players. Journal of Sport and Human Performance, 3(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.12922/jshp.0055.2015
26. Prieto Valle, A. (2020). Influence of body composition in the physical fitness of 10- to 11-year-old football players. Atena Journal of Sports Sciences, 2, Article 3.
27. Sarmento, H., Clemente, F. M., Araújo, D., Davids, K., McRobert, A., & Figueiredo, A. (2020). What performance analysts need to know about research trends in association football (2012–2016): A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 50(4), 799–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01186-6
28. Sassi, R. H., Dardouri, W., Yahmed, M. H., Gmada, N., Mahfoudhi, M. E., & Gharbi, Z. (2009). Relative and absolute reliability of a modified agility T-test and its relationship with vertical jump and straight sprint. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 23(6), 1644–1651. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b425d2
29. Slinde, F., Suber, C., Suber, L., Edwén, C. E., & Svantesson, U. (2008). Test-retest reliability of three different countermovement jumping tests. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22(2), 640–644. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181660475
30. Slimani, M., Znazen, H., Miarka, B., & Bragazzi, N. L. (2019). Maximum oxygen uptake of male soccer players according to their competitive level, playing position and age group: Implication from a network meta-analysis. Journal of Human Kinetics, 66(1), 233–245. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2018-0050
31. Sporis, G., Jukic, I., Milanovic, L., & Vucetic, V. (2010). Reliability and factorial validity of agility tests for soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24(3), 679–686. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c4d321
32. Turner, A. N., & Stewart, P. F. (2014). Strength and conditioning for soccer players. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 36(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000069
33. Weiner, J. P., & Lourie, J. A. (1969). Human biology: A guide to field methods. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
34. Yildiz, S., Ates, O., Gelen, E., Çirak, E., Bakici, D., Sert, V., & Kayihan, G. (2018). The Relationship between Start Speed, Acceleration and Speed Performances in Soccer. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 6(8), 1697-1700.
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Savić, Đorđe, Slavković, P. ., & Nikolić, U. (2026). THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY COMPOSITION AND MOTOR ABILITIES IN YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS (U10 CATEGORY). Physical Education and Sport Through The Centuries, 13(2), 69–82. Retrieved from https://phedss.fsfv-pr.rs/index.php/phedss/article/view/87
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