Anthropometric Characteristics and Physical Performance of Young Elite Kosovo Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physical profiles of young soccer players according to their playing position and to determine their relevance for competition success. One hundred and twenty young soccer players participated in the study. Players aged 19 were classified into the following groups: defenders (n=40), midfielders (n=40) and attackers (n=40). The anthropometric variables of participants (height, weight, body mass index, 4 skinfold, 2 diameters, and 2 perimeters) were measured. Also, their somatotype and body composition were calculated. Participants performed Bruce treadmill test protocol and Yo-Yo Intermittent Test to estimate their relative VO 2 max, sprint tests (5 m and 20 m flat), 2 jump tests (countermovement jump and standing long jump test), 3 tests for assessing agility (Illinois with balls and without balls, and 505-test) and seven fitness tests for assessing power, speed, agility, flexibility, frequency, abdominal muscle power and balance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determinate differences between team positions. On the base of the obtained results, it can be established that players playing in midfield position have less body height, weight, and achieve less results in fitness tests Illinois 20-meter running, leg-tapping, sit-ups in 30 seconds, but better results in the tests 'sit and reach', 'flamingo' and the tests of assessing maximum oxygen consumption compared to the defenders and attackers. The attack players have less values in skinfolds and achieve better results in 5-meter running test and standing long jump compared to the midfielders and defenders. The obtained results can serve as normative morphologic-functional indexes for regular medical control of young footballers in the R. Kosovo. They can also be used as a model of comparison of morphologic-functional data between young footballers of similar levels in different countries.

Investigation of Some Performance Parameters of Professional Football Players According to Game Regions

“…In another study conducted by Sylejmani et al (Sylejmani et al, 2019) with 120 young Kosovar elite football players, it was reported that the Yo-Yo Endurance Test results of midfielders were statistically significantly higher (p <0.05) compared to other positions. In our study, parallel to Sylejmani and his friends' finding, it was determined that central midfielders have higher MAS parameters compared to other positions, and particularly this difference is statistically significant compared to wingers (p <0.05).…”

Diferencias morfológicas y de condición física en futbolistas adolescentes según posición de juego: una revisión sistemática

“…Freely available online -OPEN ACCESS Nutrition for Physical Activity and Sports patear al arco 41 . Esto se contrapone con lo informado en futbolistas jóvenes de elite 42 , donde MC consiguen desempeños más bajos respecto a DF y DL. Las discrepancias podrían ser consecuencia de las características de los futbolistas, la frecuencia y tiempo de entrenamiento que influirían en su desempeño físico 17 .…”

Measuring Locomotor Training Performance With Mechanical Performance and Motoric Tests in the Case of Young Soccer Players

“…We analyzed the locomotor performance of young (U15-U19) soccer players over 6 weeks during training sessions, as well as the relationship between locomotor performance and the mechanical load and motoric tests. The analytical examination of body parameters and physical test results took place according to international practice (Sylejmani et al, 2019). The movement and motoric tests showed the key parameters of the players' performance during matches (Rampinini et al, 2007).…”