Abstract

GJONBALAJ, Malsor; GEORGIEV, Georgi  and  BJELICA, Dusko. Differences in Anthropometric Characteristics, Somatotype Components, and Functional Abilities Among Young Elite Kosovo Soccer Players Based on Team Position. Int. J. Morphol. [online]. 2018, vol.36, n.1, pp.41-47. ISSN 0717-9502.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022018000100041.

The height, weight, diameters, volumes and skin folds were measured on a sample of 242 young soccer players from the Republic of Kosovo and therefore, the body composition, somatotype components, BMI index and maximum oxygen consumption. These were indirectly measured in order to determine their common morphological and functional features and analyze specificity i.e., the likely differences based on the playing positions (goalkeepers, defense, middle players and attackers). Within the statistical analysis, the basic descriptive statistical parameters were calculated, and a multivariate and univariate analysis of variance and post-hoc analysis were applied. Goalkeepers have statistically significantly higher body height and humeral breadth, and lower values of maximum oxygen consumption, in comparison to players who play the other positions on the team and higher body weight regarding the players who play in the middle and the attackers. Defense players have statistically significant higher body weight than the middle players. In the other anthropometric measures and somatotype components, there are no statistically significant differences among the players who play on different positions in the team. The achieved results could serve as normative morphological and functional indicators for regular sports medical examinations of young soccer players in the Republic of Kosovo. They could also be used as a template for comparison of the morphological and functional data of young soccer players at similar level in different countries.

Keywords : Body composition; Morphological and Functional Indicators; Footballers.

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