Assessment of anthropometric measurements and body composition of selected beginner South West Ethiopian soccer players

Abstract

This study attempts to determine the anthropometric measurement and body composition quality of south west Ethiopian beginner soccer players’ considering playing position. In so doing, three soccer teams were selected by employing a cluster sampling techniques that consisted of a total forty eight players, and those who attended less than seventeen years of age. Depending on their playing position players were classified in to four categories as goalkeeper (GK), defense (DF), midfielder (MF) and striker (SK). To achieve the stated purpose, cross sectional descriptive research design was employed. The  international Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol was considered to  measure the following anthropometric variables :weight measurements, n_/1; girths, n_/10; lengths, n_/6, skin folds, n_/2;(body fat% and lean mass)and body mass index n-1.The data was analyzed by SPSS version 19, moreover, the level of significance was set at (P<0.05). The finding of this study depicted that significant difference of anthropometric measurement among players based on their playing position. DF players possess larger lower limp, interior body and upper limp girth. Whereas, SK player exhibited smaller lower limp, interior body and upper limp girth. In lower limp length GK and SK have larger lower limp length but in upper limp GK possess greater. GK (176.6cm) are taller than all other players of team while MF (170cm) is sorter in overall body height. There is no significant difference in BMI(GK 19, DF 20.4, MD 18 and SK 18), lean mass and body fat% But GK(64.2 kg) are heavier while SK (58kg) lighter in their weight. Whereas, DF (60.7 kg) and MF (60 kg) players are average in their weight.  It is found that mean anthropometric measurement of south west Ethiopian youth soccer players was slightly lower than that of top world class players of similar age group players.  It is also obtained  that lack of significant differences among playing positions reflect on BMI, lean mass and body fat% indicate as coaches are not give playing position specific training for players. In this study, within-position variation was quite large in some cases, which could indicate that a team that does not have the opportunity to hand-pick players, based on anthropometric characteristics, may be at a disadvantage therefore the respective soccer coaches, sport science professionals should take into account the principle of morphological optimization in talent detection, identification and selecting soccer players. 

Keywords

• Anthropometry,body composition,soccer

References

1. Abraham G. Analysis of anthropometry, body composition and performance variables of young Indian athletes in Southern Region. Indian Journal of Science and Technology 2010; 3(12):1210-1213
2. American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association Nutrition for the physical fitness and athletic performance for adults. J. Am. Diet Assoc.1987; 76: 437-443.
3. Balciunas MC. Hyperlink. Long Term Effects of Different Training Modalities on Power, Speed, Skill and Anaerobic Capacity in Young Male football Players.J. ofSpo. Scie. and Med.2006; 5:163 – 170.
4. Bangsbo J, Michalsik L. 2002. Assessment and physiological Capacity of elite soccer players. In T. Reilly, & A. Murphy (Eds.), Science and football IV (pp. 53-62). Cambridge, UK: Routledge,
5. Bell W, Rhodes G. The morphological characteristics of the association football player. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness,1980: 20, 196_200.
6. Bloomfield J, Fricker Peter A, Fitch Kenneth D. Can running injuries be effectivelyprevented?j. Sci. Med. Sports. 1995: 1, 161.
7. BrayG. Obesity in American. Proceedings of the 2nd Forgaty International Center Conference on Obesity. Washington DC. NIH Publication, 1979: 79.
8. Callaway C, Chumlea W, Bouchard C. Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. In: Lohman, T.,Roche, A., Martorell, R. editors. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1988:39–54.

9. Durnin J, Rahaman, M. The assessment of the amount of fat in the human from measurements of skinfold thickness. Br. J. Nutr. 1967; 21: 681-689.
10. Drust B, Cable NT, Reilly T. Investigation of the effects of the pre-cooling on the physiological responses to soccer-specific intermittent exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2000; 81, 11-17.
11. Findak V, Metikoš D, Mraković M, Neljak B. 1996. Primjenjenakine- ziologija u skolstvu NORME. Hrvatskipedagosko-knjizevnizbori F akultetzafizickukulturu SveucilistaZagrebu, Zagreb.
12. Gil S, M Gil J, Ruiz F, Irazusta A, Irazusta J.Physiolo- gical and anthropometric characteristics of young soccer player’s ac- cording to their playing position: relevance for the selection process. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2007: 21, 438-445.
13. Harrison G, Buskirk R, Carter J. Skinfold thicknesses and measurement technique. In: Lohman and T., Roche, F. and Martorell, R. editors. Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1988: 55–70
14. Jackson, A. Pollock M. Practical assessment of body composition. J. Phys Sport’s med., 13(5):76–90.
15. Latimer- cheung MP, Krustrup J. Bangsbo. 2013. Match performance of high standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. J. Spo. Scie.,1985; 21: 519–528.
16. Mathur D, Salokun S. Body composition of successful Nigerian female athletes. J. Sports Med., 1985; 25: 27-21.
17. Malina RM, Pena Reyes ME, Eisenmann J C, Horta L, Rodrigues J, Miller R. Height, mass and skeletal maturity of elite Portuguese soccer players aged 11-16 years. Journal of Sports Science, 2000: 18, 685-693.
18. Russell M, Tooley E. Anthropometric and Performance Characteristics of Young Male Soccer Players Competing in the Uk. Serbian Journal of Sports Sciences, 2011; 5(4): 155-162
19. Mehdi B, Rym B, Amri M.2013. Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of Tunisians Young Soccer PlayersJ. Advances in Physical Education. 2013; 3(3), 125-130
20. NiemanC. Exercise Testing and Prescription: A Health-Related Approach. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Co, Inc; 2011: 102–116.
21. Reeves SL, Poh BK, Brown M, Tizzard NH, Ismail MN. Anthropometric measurements and body composition of English and Malaysian footballers. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 1999: 5, 79_86.
22. Reilly T, Bangsbo J, Franks A. Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2000: 18, 669-683.
23. Slavko R, Hilfiker R, Claiys P, Clijsen R, Taeytnansa J. Position-specific and Team-ranking-related Morphological characte- ristics in German Amateur Soccer Players—A Descriptive Study— Anthropometry in Amateur Soccer players. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 2011: 23, 8-182.
24. Sinning WE, Dolny DG, Little,KD. "Validity of 'generalised' equations for body composition analysis in male athletes". Medicine and Science in Sports 1996;17: 124-130.
25. Stolen TK, Chamari C, Castagna U, Wisloff. Physiology of soccer: An update. J. Sports Med.2005;35: 501–536.
26. Stroyer J, Hansen L, Klausen K. Physiological profile and activity pattern of young soccer players during match play. Medicine Sciences Sports Exercises, 2004: 36, 168-174.
27. Singh S, Singh K, Singh M. Anthropometric measurements, body composition and somatotype of high jumpers. Brazilian Journal of Biochemistry, 2010; 4 (4): 266-271.
28. Verducci Frank M. Measurement and Concepts in Physical Education. St. Louis: the C. V. Mosby Company, 1980: 215.