Body Composition Changes in Professional Soccer Players (DEXA Study)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Longitudinal Body Composition Variability Across Competitive Seasons in Professional Soccer Players Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)
IRAS ID
370514
Contact name
Neil Thomas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will investigate how body composition changes across a competitive season in full-time professional association football (i.e., soccer) players. Body composition refers to the amount of muscle, fat, and bone in the body. Monitoring these changes is important, as they may influence physical performance, injury risk, and overall player health. However, there is currently limited research describing how body composition changes over time in professional players.
The aim of this study is to examine how whole-body and regional body composition changes across different phases of a competitive season.
Participants will be adult (aged 18 years and over) professional soccer players from a UK-based football club. Participation is voluntary, and all players will provide written informed consent before taking part.
The study will take place at Manchester Metropolitan University laboratories. Players will attend the laboratory on four occasions during the season (for example, at the start of pre-season, end of pre-season, mid-competitive season, and end-competitive season). At each visit, body composition will be measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA is a safe, non-invasive scanning method that provides detailed information about muscle mass, fat mass, and bone health. Each scan takes a few minutes and involves a very low dose of radiation.
The results will show how body composition changes over time in professional soccer players. This may help coaches, sport scientists, and medical staff better understand typical changes across a season and support decisions around training, nutrition, and performance monitoring.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/WM/0127
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion