Nutritional Attitudes and Anthropometric Measurements in Relation to Agility in Football Players

The Relationship Between Nutritional Attitudes and Anthropometric Measurements and Agility in Elite Football Players

Soccer players' agility can be affected by many factors, including nutrition and body composition. The primary objective of our study is to reveal the relationship between nutritional attitudes and anthropometric measurements and agility in elite adolescent soccer players. Our secondary objective is to determine the effect of daily fluid intake and daily sleep duration on anthropometric measurements, nutrition attitude scores, and agility in soccer players. Study was conducted on 51 male soccer players aged 14-18. Information on the soccer players' sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles was obtained via a questionnaire. Body composition analysis was measured using a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) device, and hand grip strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer. Height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured. Soccer players' attitudes toward nutrition were assessed using the Nutrition Attitude Scale (NAS), and their agility was assessed using the Agility T-Test.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January 15 and March 1, 2024, with adolescent football players from the Tümosan Konyaspor Football Club. Sample size calculation was performed using G*Power 3.1.9.4 based on a correlation coefficient of 0.35, 95% power, and a 0.05 alpha level, resulting in a minimum required sample size of 41 participants. A total of 51 male football players aged 14-18 years were included.

Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, anthropometric measurements, agility assessment, and the Nutrition Attitude Scale (NAS). Anthropometric measurements and body composition parameters were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, while height, waist and hip circumferences, and hand grip strength were measured using standardized procedures. Nutritional attitudes were evaluated with the NAS. Agility performance was assessed using the Agility T-test with electronic timing.

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated, normality was assessed, and appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests were applied. Relationships between variables were examined using Pearson correlation analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male football players aged 14-18 years
• At least 3 years of club-level football experience
• Regular participation in a minimum of 4 training sessions per week (excluding matches) over the past year
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent obtained from the participant and/or legal guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of any systemic disease affecting nutritional status
• Locomotor pain or musculoskeletal conditions preventing evaluation
• Failure to obtain participant and/or parental consent