Relationship between nutritional adequacy and anthropometric profile characteristics according to playing position in professional female soccer players: A cross-sectional study

Background Anthropometric characterization and somatotype profiling in professional soccer players are essential for understanding the morphofunctional demands associated with playing positions. Objective To determine and compare anthropometric profile and somatotype characteristics across playing positions in professional female soccer players, and to analyze their relationship with nutritional adequacy. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 43 players from two First Division teams in Trujillo (Peru). Anthropometric measurements followed ISAK standards, and body composition was estimated using Kerr’s five-component fractionation method. Somatotype was assessed using the Heath–Carter method. Nutritional adequacy was calculated according to playing position and international recommendations. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons for anthropometric variables, Chi-square tests with Cramer’s V effect size for nutritional adequacy, and Kendall’s Tau correlations for body composition associations. Statistical significance was set at p  < 0.05. Results Goalkeepers presented significantly higher adipose mass (18.6 ± 2.5 kg) and muscle mass (33.1 ± 2.2 kg) than outfield players ( p  < 0.05; ε² ≥0.21). Nutritional adequacy differed significantly by position, with goalkeepers showing 100% protein insufficiency ( p  < 0.001, V = 0.58). No significant associations were found between nutritional adequacy and body composition when stratified by playing position ( p  > 0.05). However, in the total sample, protein adequacy was inversely correlated with adipose mass (Tb = − 0.60, p  < 0.001), and lipid adequacy was negatively associated with muscle mass (Tb = − 0.52, p  < 0.001). Conclusions Although no position-specific associations were identified, significant relationships emerged in the overall sample, suggesting that nutritional adequacy influences body composition independently of tactical role.