Prediction of Playing Ability from Selected Skills, Physical, Physiological, Psychological and Anthropometric Variables among Ethiopian Super League Male football Players
Keywords:
Soccer, super-league, Ethiopia, game, performance, maleAbstract
Introduction: Football is the most popular sport in the world. Football demands better skill, physical abilities and better physiological and psychological condition. Advanced countries in soccer identify these factors that contribute for successful playing ability of the players. However, in our country there is no previous study conducted to predict the playing ability of Ethiopian players and also to determine the factors which contributed for successful playing ability.
Objective: To assess and predict the playing ability from selected skills, physical, physiological, psychological and anthropometric variables among Ethiopian super league male football players, Ethiopia, East Africa, 2017
Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study design was conducted in Ethiopiafrom January 2 to February 30, 2017. The study included 290 male soccer players from Ethiopian super league. The study participants were selected by cluster stage sampling. Data were collected using structured and pretested questionnaires and physical tests. Correlation test and Multivariate logistic regression analyses were done.
Results: Leg length, shoulder strength, speed, agility, body weight, thigh girth, calf girth, body fat percentage and achievement motivation correlated with soccer game performance. Knee diameter, strong legs, thigh girth, speed, agility, self-confidence, and aggressiveness were predictors of good game performance.
Conclusion: Leg length and achievement motivation were positively correlated with soccer game performance. Those having large knee diameter, strong legs, self-confidence, good speed and agility are related to a higher likelihood of good game performing in soccer. Having high score in aggressiveness and large thigh girth showed negative association.
Recommendations: To have better game playing, players needed to improve their physical, anthropometrical and psychological variables.
