Original scientific paper
Morphological Differences of Elite Croatian Soccer Players According to the Team Position
Branka R. Matković
Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković
Bojan Matković
Saša Janković
Lana Ružić
Goran Leko
Miran Kondrič
Abstract
Team position is of extreme importance in interpretation of morphological data because
there are specific demands for a specific play position. The aim of the study was
the analysis of morphological characteristics and body composition of elite Croatian
soccer players with respect to their team position. The measurements were performed on
57 soccer players, members of the First Croatian National League. The anthropometrical
measurement encompassed 13 variables. Descriptive statistics, t-test and MANOVA
were used in data processing. The goalkeepers were the tallest and the heaviest (182.9
4.3 cm; 80.15.1 kg), and had significantly higher amounts of body fat (20.2% goalkeepers
vs. 13–15% others; p<0.05), whereas the forwards and the midfield players were on
the average about 3 cm shorter. The goalkeepers had longer legs and arms (p<0.05), and
the largest biacromial diameter (43.21.9 cm). The forwards were the shortest on the average
(179.26.3 cm). The lowest values of fat tissue were found in defenders (13.9%)
and midfield players (14.4%). In conclusion, the differences in morphological characteristics
according to the team position were noticed only in goalkeepers, especially regarding
their height, weight and the percentage of fat tissue.
Keywords
soccer; morphological characteristics; anthropometry; body composition; body height
Hrčak ID:
28126
URI
Publication date:
26.6.2003.
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