Investigation of anthropometric and work-rate profiles of elite South American international soccer players

Background. The aim of the current investigation was to determine the movem ent profiles of elite South American soccer players during international co mpetition and examine the relationship between anthropometric profile and w ork-rate variables. Methods. Seventeen full-time professional soccer players were filmed while competing for their countries. Anthropometric profiles were obtained for el even of these players. Six full-time professional players from the English Premier League were also filmed for comparative purposes. Results. The South American international players covered significantly les s (p<0.05) total distance during match-play than English Premier League pla yers (International, 8638+/-1158 m; English Premier League, 10104+/-703 m), The total distance covered during the second half of the game was signific antly reduced (p<0.05) compared to the first half distance for both groups of players (mean+/-SD first half 4605+/-625 m; mean+/-SD second half 4415+/ -634 m), The data for both groups of players were combined to evaluate posi tional differences in the work-rate profile, Midfield players covered a sig nificantly greater (p<0.05) distance than forward players (midfield, 9826+/ -1031 m; forwards, 7736+/-929 m) and defenders covered a greater (p<0.05) d istance jogging backwards than forward players (defenders, 276+/-155 m; for wards, 68+/-25 m), Forwards sprint-ed a greater distance (p<0.05) than defe nsive players (defenders, 231+/-142 m; forwards, 557+/-142 m), Mean somatot ype was a balanced mesomorph (2-5 1/2-2), Body mass and muscle mass was rel ated to the total distance covered (r=0.43, r=0.53, p<0.05). Conclusions. Based on these data, it seems that an individual's work-rate p rofile is dependent upon the type of competition and the playing position. Relationships between anthropometric profile and work-rate are complex due to the interaction between the variables that determine work-rate.