International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
Call for Papers | Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed

ISSN: 2319-7064


Downloads: 101

Research Paper | Physiology Science | Zimbabwe | Volume 3 Issue 3, March 2014


Anthropometry and Somatotype Characteristics of Male Provincial Youth League Soccer Players in Zimbabwe According to Playing Positions

Vincent Masocha [2] | Anyway Katanha [4]


Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the anthropometric and somatotype characteristics of male provincial youth league soccer players according to their playing positions. Sixteen youth players (15.30.68 years) were purposively selected through volunteer participation from a club in Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe. The following anthropometric variables were measured following the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK): height, body mass, skinfolds: (triceps, subscapular, biceps, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal and medial calf), girths: (arm relaxed, arm flexed and tensed, waist, gluteal, medial calf), and bone breadths: (bi-epicondylar humerus and bi-epicondylar femur). The following derived body composition variables were also calculated from the measurements; fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), fat mass index (FMI), fat free mass index (FFMI), percentage body fat ( %BF) and body density (Db). Somatotype was calculated using the Heath-Carter (1990) method. Results (meanSD) were as follows; body mass 63.05.49kg, height 170.24.61cm, sum of skinfolds 41.16.00mm, %BF 10.01.19 %), fat mass 6.31.05kg, fat free mass 56.74.79kg), fat mass index 2.20.27, fat free mass index 19.61.37 and Db 1.080.00 g/cc. Mean somatotype of the players was 1.56-3.45-2.74, (endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph). No statistically significant differences were observe among playing positions in both anthropometric and somatotype variables (p>0.05) except in height (p<0.01). It was concluded that mean anthropometric and somatotype for Zimbabwean youth players was slightly lower than that of players of similar age group around the World. Lack of significant differences among playing positions reflect a systematic criteria of Talent Identification and Selection being followed resulting in selected players being of similar characteristics.


Keywords: Anthropometry, Somatotype, Endomorph, Mesomorph, Ectomorph


Edition: Volume 3 Issue 3, March 2014,


Pages: 554 - 557


How to Download this Article?

You Need to Register Your Email Address Before You Can Download the Article PDF


How to Cite this Article?

Vincent Masocha, Anyway Katanha, "Anthropometry and Somatotype Characteristics of Male Provincial Youth League Soccer Players in Zimbabwe According to Playing Positions", International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Volume 3 Issue 3, March 2014, pp. 554-557, https://www.ijsr.net/get_abstract.php?paper_id=20131210

Top