Anthropometric and motor performance characteristics of male soccer players in public universities

Abstract

Background: Training of athletes for optimal performance would be enhanced in an environment of appropriate data. There is, however, limited data on anthropometric and sport performance characteristics of male soccer players in Ghanaian public universities. This study comparatively presents the distribution of anthropometric and motor performance characteristics of male soccer players among public universities. Methods: Male soccer players (n = 44, mean age = 22.61 ±1.87 yrs) from four public universities were recruited. Weight, leg length, thigh girth, calf girth, forearm length, upper arm length, upper arm girth, chest girth, and finger span were measured. The participants were also assessed on a 36.58 m (40 yards) dash, vertical jump, agility, flexibility, sit-ups, push-ups, dribbling, shooting accuracy, and kicking distance. Results: There were significant differences in the forearm length (p = 0.001), leg power (p = 0.040), abdominal strength (p = 0.005), agility (p = 0.001), flexibility (p = 0.009), and upper body strength (p = 0.023) among the male soccer players of the universities. All anthropometric characteristics significantly predicted kicking distance (p = 0.002). Thigh girth (p = 0.014), chest girth (p = 0.010) and finger span (p = 0.012) significantly distinctly served as predictors. Conclusion: Anthropometric and motor performance characteristics were relatively different among male soccer players in Ghana public universities. University soccer coaches should place major emphasis on individual traits and potentials when developing combined training regimes.

Keywords

• arm length and girth
• chest girth
• finger span
• muscular strength
• kicking abilities