Body composition and physical fitness as determinants of locomotor demands in professional women's football matches

Abstract

Introduction: Women’s football has experienced significant professional growth; however, integrated evidence linking body composition, physical fitness, and competitive external load remains limited, particularly when analysed by playing position. Understanding these relationships is essential to optimise performance and individualise training in professional female players within real match conditions. Objective: To compare body composition, physical fitness, and GPS-derived competitive external load according to playing position in professional women’s football players, and to analyse the associations between morphofunctional characteristics and locomotor demands during competition. Methods: Twenty-three professional players competing in the Liga MX Femenil underwent assessments of body composition and physical fitness (strength, speed, power, and intermittent endurance), and were monitored using GPS during ten official matches. Positional differences were examined using one-way ANOVA, and associations between variables were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: Significant positional differences were observed in body mass, with goalkeepers presenting higher values than outfield players (p < 0.05). Forwards showed superior 30 m sprint performance and greater high-intensity external load, including high-speed running, sprint distance, maximal speed, and high metabolic load distance (p < 0.05). Higher fat mass and the sum of six skinfolds were negatively associated with neuromuscular performance and accelerations during competition, whereas sprint performance and intermittent endurance were positively associated with total distance and high metabolic load distance (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Body composition and physical fitness are key determinants of competitive locomotor demands in professional women’s football, supporting the integration of morphofunctional assessments with GPS monitoring to guide position-specific training, prescription, and performance optimisation processes.