Lower-limbs appendicular muscle mass is a key body composition trait related to health and performance. Considering the relevance of lower-limbs appendicular muscle mass in soccer players, the assessment and monitoring of this variable with a low-cost tool would be of great value in order to improve performance through training and nutritional interventions. This study aimed to develop a multiple regression model in order to validate, through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a novel equation to predict lower-limbs appendicular muscle mass in young soccer players using anthropometric variables. Forty-two soccer players of the Chilean National Team (age, 17.1±1.3 years; body mass, 70.0±6.8 kg; height, 175.0±6.6 cm) underwent anthropometrically and body composition assessments. Forward stepwise linear regression was used to develop the equation to estimate the lower-limb appendicular muscle mass. The estimated results were compared with measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The best predictor model to estimate lower-limbs appendicular muscle mass was (kg): (-21.268 + (0.087*height) – (0.853*middle thigh circumference) – (0.329*middle thigh skinfold) + (1.136*corrected middle thigh circumference) + (0.306*calf circumference)) (R2= 0.83). The lower-limbs appendicular muscle mass estimated by the equation and measured by DXA were similar (14.71±1.72 kg vs 14.76±1.89 kg, respectively), and have a good concordance according to Bland-Altman method (mean difference: 0.049 kg; 95 % IC: -1.481 to 1.578 kg) and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (0.91; 95 % CI: 0.85 – 0.96) methods. In conclusion, the predictive equation is a valid, easy to calculate, and a low-cost tool to predict lower-limbs appendicular muscle mass in young soccer players.
KEY WORDS: Anthropometry; Muscle mass; Lower limb; Soccer players.
