Comparative influence of soccer training on selected variables among soccer players

The most important variables for measuring performance in soccer are physical condition, technical skills and tactical performance. Physically active people possess considerably less total body fat than their active contemporaries. Body composition and anthropometric measures are the important factors among other important variables, which influences the soccer playing ability. Proper soccer training for specific age group improves these qualities. The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of 12 week soccer training on selected anthropometric measures and body fat % among three age group soccer player. Twenty district level male soccer players from each of the three age category of 14yrs., 17yrs. and 19yrs. were considered as the trainee of the study. Significant (p=.014) weight gain took place only in case of 19yrs. group. The pre and post-test value in case of weight (F = 74.32 and 88.10) and height (F = 42.55 and 42.29) signifies the differences among the three groups but in case of body fat % (F = 0.85 and 1.03) there were no significant differences. The critical differences of weight, height and Fat % in ANCOVA were 0.44, 0.01, 0.06 and the different adjusted post-test mean values clearly indicated the maximum changes in case of 19yrs. boys. The conclusion may be drawn that maximum development occurred in case of the 19yrs. group soccer players due to the proposed soccer training.