Comparison of Performance Measures Between Starters Vs Non-starters in a Division Ill Women’S Soccer Team

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It is widely known that there are physical and physiological differences between members of a collegiate soccer team but less is known regarding the magnitude of those differences between starters (S) and non-starters (NS). Previous research between S and NS players at the NCAA Division I level did not elucidate any differences (Risso et al., 2017), however this might not be the case at other NCAA competition levels. PURPOSE: To compare performance measures of S and NS of a NCAA Division III female soccer team. METHODS: Performance measures between S and NS of a Division III female collegiate soccer team (n=22) were assessed. Data was collected pre-season and consisted of descriptive physical measures (age, height, weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass) and performance measures (vertical jump, standing broad jump, triple hop, 30-m sprint). All data were analyzed utilizing independent t-tests with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Findings show that there were no statistical differences between S and NS in any of the descriptive physical measures. Performance measures demonstrated statistically significant differences in vertical jump (S 0.38±0.06 m vs NS 0.31±0.05 m (p=0.01)); standing broad jump (S 1.78±0.16 m vs NS 1.58±0.17 m (p=0.00); standing broad jump right foot (S 1.46±0.14 m vs NS 1.23±0.17 m (p=0.00)); triple hop left foot (S 4.79±0.45 m vs NS 4.37±0.48 m (p=0.04)); triple hop right foot (S 4.94±0.48 m vs NS 4.25±0.41 m (p=0.00)); and change of direction left foot (S 2.64±0.14 sec vs NS 2.77±0.11 sec (p=0.04)). There were no differences observed in the 30-m sprint times or any of the intervals (0-5, 0-10, or 0-30 m). CONCLUSION: In the current study, S and NS did display significant differences in a number of performance measures. Due to these differences, substitutions could have a major impact on team performance; therefore, training considerations may be warranted between S and NS.