Urban-rural contrasts in motor fitness components of youngster footballers in West Bengal, India

Abstract

In the present world sport and exercise should be well-matched with the surroundings and public healthiness. This study aims to examine whether urban-rural environment have any impact on motor fitness components of footballers as well as sedentary boys of the age group 14 to 16 years. The sample consisted of 60 football players (30 urban and 30 rural) and 160 sedentary boys (80 urban and 80 rural). The parameters included height, weight, body surface area (BSA) and body mass Index (BMI), agility, flexibility, leg muscle power (LMP), speed, hand grip strength (HGS). Standard techniques and procedures were followed for all the tests. Results were expressed as mean ± SD and independent samples T test was conducted to compare between the groups. Results of the study revealed that agility, flexibility, LMP, speed and HGS were significantly higher in rural boys including both of footballer (p<0.05) and sedentary (p<0.01) group compared with urban boys. From the study, it might be concluded that rural boys showed greater motor fitness comparing to their urban counterparts. However, regular training can reduce this urban-rural difference in motor fitness and lifestyle, habitual activities, living environment had great impact on motor fitness that was clearly understood from control group (sedentary boys).

Keywords

• Motor fitness
• Urban-Rural
• Footballer
• Sedentary