Finger dermatoglyphics and body composition in college football

Introduction: athletes must have certain physical and physiological characteristics for optimal performance on the field of play. These characteristics have been studied and related together with the genetic component through dermatoglyphics, which can help to select and specialize at an early age. Objective: to compare the results of body composition and dermatoglyphics of university soccer players, with respect to professional soccer players evaluated in other countries. Method: study with a quantitative approach and cross-sectional design. 18 athletes from the Santo Tomas University soccer team were evaluated. The dermatoglyphic indicators were determined by the methodology of Cummins and Midlo (1942); body composition was assessed by bioimpedance. Results: in the 18 soccer players, a lean mass of 57.24% SD +/- 5.24, fat percentage of 13.56% SD +/- 5.30 and bone weight of 2.99% SD +/- 0.26 were found. In addition, a predominance was observed in the fingerprint drawing of Loop (L) with 65.56%, followed by Whorl (W) 12.22% and Arch (A) 6.11%. In the delta index (D10) a mean of 12.22 SD +/- 3.405 was found and in the total sum of ridges a mean of 173.39 SD +/- 89.368. Conclusion: similarity was evidenced between the dermatoglyphs of professional soccer players from Brazil and soccer players from the Santo Tomas University, so there is a genetic predisposition towards explosive strength, aerobic endurance and coordination.