Analysis of anthropometric and motor performance variables of soccer players in GUSA games

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the anthropometric and motor performance variables of soccer players in GUSA games. 44 female and 44 male soccer players with mean ages of 21.54±1.79 and 22.61±1.87 years respectively (Appendix D) were evaluated on height, weight, leg length, thigh girth, calf girth, fore arm length, upper arm length, upper arm girth, chest girth and finger span. The participants also performed 36.58m dash, vertical jump, agility, flexibility, sit-ups and push-ups. Additionally, they dribbled and kicked the ball for distance and accuracy. The results were compared institutionally and internationally on gender basis. There were significant differences in the thigh girth (p = .003), calf girth (p = .002), abdominal strength (p = .001) and distant kick (p = .009) of the female soccer players and the fore arm length (p = .001), leg power (p = .040), abdominal strength (p = .005), agility (p = .001), flexibility (p = .009), and upper body strength (p = .023) of the male soccer players. The weight, thigh and calf girths put together influenced the distant kick (p=.012) in the female soccer players. The speed and agility put together also influenced dribbling (p=.011) in the females. All the male anthropometric variables influenced the distant kick (p = .002), the thigh girth, chest girth and finger span were also individual predictors. Flexibility (p = .042) and agility (p = .004) were individual predictors and together influenced the dribbling (p=.001) in males. It was recommended that coaches in GUSA should develop and concentrate on the combination of the above significant anthropometric and motor performance variables when practicing kicking and also, generate data base of players’ profiles for reference and use it as part of the criteria to select players.