Kinanthropometry and Anatomical Body Composition of Elite Soccer Players in Argentina: The FUTREF Project

Introduction: Anthropometric references for sports enable researchers and sports nutrition professionals to accurately assess body composition in an economical and efficient manner. The objective of this study was to provide an extensive anthropometric profile of elite soccer players divided by playing position. Seven hundred fifty-two players (age 24.0 ± 4.4 years) from 18 different Argentine teams were involved in the FUTREF project and measured according to the protocol defined by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Methods: Raw anthropometric parameters were reported and used to calculate somatotype and body mass components according to molecular (two-components) and anatomical (five-components) models. Results: Statistically significant differences (p>0.01) were identified for anthropometric parameters among different playing positions and between players selected and not selected for the senior national team. The 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles for the muscle-to-bone ratio were provided. Furthermore, the use of different equations showed different outputs in predicting body composition. Conclusion: This study provides anthropometric reference data for evaluating body composition in elite soccer players.Las referencias antropométricas para el deporte permiten a los investigadores y profesionales de la nutrición deportiva evaluar con precisión la composición corporal de una manera económica y eficiente. El objetivo de este estudio fue proporcionar un perfil antropométrico extenso de jugadores de fútbol de élite dividido por posición de juego. En el proyecto FUTREF participaron setecientos cincuenta y dos jugadores (edad 24,0 ± 4,4 años) de 18 equipos argentinos diferentes, medidos según el protocolo definido por la Sociedad Internacional para el Avance de la Cineantropometría (ISAK). Métodos: Se informaron parámetros antropométricos brutos y se utilizaron para calcular los componentes del somatotipo y la masa corporal según modelos moleculares (dos componentes) y anatómicos (cinco componentes). Resultados: Se identificaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0,01) para los parámetros antropométricos entre las diferentes posiciones de juego y entre jugadores seleccionados y no seleccionados para la selección absoluta. Se proporcionaron los percentiles 5, 25, 50, 75 y 95 para la relación músculo-hueso. Además, el uso de diferentes ecuaciones mostró diferentes resultados en la predicción de la composición corporal. Conclusión: Este estudio proporciona datos antropométricos de referencia para evaluar la composición corporal en jugadores de fútbol de élite

Fake Objects, True Love: The Symbolic Aspects of Consumption of Counterfeit Goods

The article explains the voluntary consumption of counterfeit goods as an example of the productive nature of consumption trends. The use of the object, as well as the symbolic manipulation operated by the consumer, in fact represents a new manufacturing process for the good itself, making the consumed object radically different from the original one. Cultural elements are essential in the voluntary consumption of counterfeit goods, since without them it is not possible to understand the scope and the diffusion of the non-deceptive counterfeiting phenomenon. Indeed, the theory linking counterfeit goods to a mere question of price is contradicted in practice by the widespread phenomenon of mixed consumption. The data on consumers of fashion goods, reveal that subjects radically manipulate objects on an ontological level. Strictly speaking, the consumed objects are not merely true or false, but equally likely. However, these processes can apply only to people with some knowledge of fashion, allowing us to conclude that those who have a high cultural capital occupy an advantaged position

Reproducing Cultural Goods as a Collective Effort of Identity Building in Italy

The article assesses the effects of consumption trends on the process of political identity building for individuals, focusing on a case study represented by a confederation of six cultural youth clubs. The ARCI confederation is a well known left-wing organisation, which has engaged in a profound reconceptualisation of its political stance over the last two decades. Our research assesses the cultural supply and demand of ARCI as it influences the political identity building of its members. The essential feature of ARCI clubs is that they are self-managing units, collectively deciding on their cultural production. Thanks to the quali-quantitative research strategy, the article is able to portray the differences between those who decide and those who merely consume. It thus provides valuable insights into the role played by the process of self-identification in the task of cultural re-production, and highlights the importance of the circular relationship between consumption trends and group identity building

Reproducing Cultural Goods as a Collective Effort of Identity Building in Italy

The article assesses the effects of consumption trends on the process of political identity building for individuals, focusing on a case study represented by a confederation of six cultural youth clubs. The ARCI confederation is a well known left-wing organisation, which has engaged in a profound reconceptualisation of its political stance over the last two decades. Our research assesses the cultural supply and demand of ARCI as it influences the political identity building of its members. The essential feature of ARCI clubs is that they are self-managing units, collectively deciding on their cultural production. Thanks to the quali-quantitative research strategy, the article is able to portray the differences between those who decide and those who merely consume. It thus provides valuable insights into the role played by the process of self-identification in the task of cultural re-production, and highlights the importance of the circular relationship between consumption trends and group identity building

Effects of 30 days of ketogenic diet on body composition, muscle strength, muscle area, metabolism, and performance in semi-professional soccer players

Background A ketogenic diet (KD) is a nutritional approach, usually adopted for weight loss, that restricts daily carbohydrates under 30 g/day. KD showed contradictory results on sport performance, whilst no data are available on team sports. We sought to investigate the influence of a KD on different parameters in semi-professional soccer players. Methods Subjects were randomly assigned to a iso-protein (1.8 g/Kg body weight/day) ketogenic diet (KD) or western diet (WD) for 30 days. Body weight and body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), cross sectional area (CSA) and isometric muscle strength of quadriceps, counter movement jump (CMJ) and yoyo intermittent recovery test time were measured. Results There was a significantly higher decrease of body fat (p = 0.0359), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (p = 0.0018), waist circumference (p = 0.0185) and extra-cellular water (p = 0.0060) in KD compared to WD group. Lean soft tissue, quadriceps muscle area, maximal strength and REE showed no changes in both groups. RER decreased significantly in KD (p = 0.0008). Yo-yo intermittent test improved significantly (p < 0.0001) in both groups without significant differences between groups. CMJ significantly improved (p = 0.0021) only in KD. Conclusions This is the first study investigating the effects of a KD on semi-professional soccer players. In our study KD athletes lost fat mass without any detrimental effects on strength, power and muscle mass. When the goal is a rapid weight reduction in such athletes, the use of a KD should be taken into account. Trial registration registered retrospectively on Clinical Trial registration number NCT04078971