A Comparison of Age, Weight, Height and Body Mass Index of Zimbabwe League Soccer Players Across Playing Positions

Lungisani Mkandla, Eberhard Tapera, M.* & Morris Banda

National University of Science and Technology, Department of Sports Science and Coaching, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Dr. Eberhard Tapera, M., National University of Science and Technology, Department of Sports Science and Coaching, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Keywords: Anthropometry; Physical Fitness; Body Mass Index

Abstract

Age, weight and height and body mass index (BMI) are very important attributes in soccer. The aim of this study was to determine the age, weight, height and BMI of Zimbabwe male league soccer players, and compare these variables across playing positions (PPs). Twenty-two (22) players (ages 21-33 years) volunteered to participate in the study and were categorized into PPs, defenders (n=7), midfielders (n=7) and forwards (n=7). Age was computed from dates of births obtained from team records, while height and weight were determined using standard ISAK proptocols. BMI was derived from the weight and height values measured. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to present the data for each position. A One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the data (at p=0.05) to determine any significant differences in the selected variables by PP. A Newman-Keuls post-hoc was also performed, also at p=0.05, to locate the PPs across which any significant differences existed in each attribute. The study found no significant differences in age, weight, and height across PP, but found significant differences between defenders and midfielders, defenders and forwards and midfielders and forwards. It is recommended from the study that Zimbabwe male league soccer players be selected on the basis of age, weight, height for the different roles they play as defenders midfielders and forwards in soccer. It is further recommended that male league soccer players be given position-specific training to attain homogeneous BMI which is desirable in top-flight soccer .These recommendations are meant to enable Zimbabwean soccer players to function effectively in the different demands imposed on defenders midfielders and forwards.

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