Más allá del disco: diferencias posicionales en las características morfológicas y físicas entre jugadores de ultimate frisbee

Abstract

Ultimate Frisbee (UF) is an intermittent team sport with distinct positional roles (cutters and handlers), yet evidence integrating anthropometric, body composition, and physical performance profiles by playing position remains limited. This study aimed to examine positional differences in these variables among male UF players. Methods: Forty male players (age: 25.13 ± 3.76 years; 7.0 ± 2.5 years of training experience) participated in this cross-sectional design, including 20 cutters and 20 handlers. Anthropometry, body composition, somatotype, and physical performance were evaluated, and positional differences were analyzed using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and MANOVA, with effect sizes reported. Results: No positional differences were observed in general anthropometric (p > .05). However, handlers exhibited higher body fat percentage (14.32 ± 2.37 vs. 11.95 ± 2.45; p = 0.028), fat mass (11.08 ± 2.51 vs. 8.95 ± 2.67 kg; p = 0.049), and endomorphy (4.15 ± 1.22 vs. 2.99 ± 1.30; p = 0.002) than cutters. In contrast, cutters demonstrated higher speed (20-m sprint: 3.11 ± 0.17 vs. 3.21 ± 0.15 s; p < .05), agility (10.16 ± 0.69 vs. 10.69 ± 0.61 s; p < .05), and vertical jump performance (Counter Movement Jump: 40.93 ± 6.54 vs. 36.38 ± 4.71 cm; p < .05; Abalakov: 46.39 ± 7.88 vs. 40.20 ± 4.68 cm; p < .01). No differences were found in intermittent endurance (Yo-Yo IR1: 982 ± 354 vs. 940 ± 348 m), upperlimb power, or dynamic balance. Conclusions: These findings indicate that playing position in UF is characterized by distinct body composition and lower-limb neuromuscular performance profiles, whereas intermittent endurance, upper-limb power, and balance represent shared physical requirements across positions.