PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN CORRELATION WITH THEIR PLAYING POSITIONS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the differences in height, weight, and body mass index values among young amateur football players according to their positions and try to put forth the significance of these differences in talent selection and in establishing a general anthropometric profile of a football team. A total of 121 youth football players from the Nevşehir U17 amateur league in Türkiye participated in the research, during which their body height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured. When the study results were examined, goalkeepers obtained better values in the height variable compared to defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The lowest height values were found among midfield players, while defenders and forwards had similar values. In terms of weight variable, goalkeepers were found to have higher weight compared to players in other positions. Midfielders had the lowest weight among the groups. As for the body mass index variable, goalkeepers again reached the highest values, while midfielders had the lowest values. These findings indicate that the anthropometric characteristics of players at the U17 level vary depending on their playing positions. This observation suggests that the anthropometric features of players may differ based on the tactical aspects of the game. Football practitioners can leverage these study findings to gain a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of anthropometric characteristics and their implications for player positions. Furthermore, this knowledge can aid in providing tailored training programs aimed at evaluating and enhancing soccer-specific skills in relation to these factors. Awareness of these observed differences could also contribute to the early selection of promising players.