Examination of Physical Characteristics and Positional Differences in Professional Soccer Players in Qatar.

Eirik Halvorsen Wik,Paul James Read,Seán Mc Auliffe

doi:10.3390/sports7010009

Eirik Halvorsen Wik, Paul James Read + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7010009

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Journal: Sports	Publication Date: Dec 31, 2018
Citations: 27	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital

Abstract

Physical characteristics in professional soccer differ between competition levels and playing positions, and normative data aid practitioners in profiling their players to optimize performance and reduce injury risk. Given the paucity of research in Arabic soccer populations, the purpose of this study was to provide position-specific normative values for professional players competing in the Qatar Stars League. One hundred and ninety-five players completed a musculoskeletal assessment as part of an annual periodic health examination. Tests included measures of range of motion (hip, ankle, and hamstring), bilateral and unilateral jump performance, and quadriceps/hamstring (isokinetic/NordBord), hip adduction/abduction (eccentric), and groin (isometric) strength. Descriptive data were examined, and positional differences were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Goalkeepers were significantly heavier (p < 0.01), had a higher body mass index (p < 0.05) than outfield positions and demonstrated greater absolute strength. Defenders were the strongest relative to body mass, and these differences were significant (p < 0.05) versus goalkeepers and strikers. No meaningful between-group comparisons were apparent for jumping or range of motion tests. Compared to mean values from other professional leagues, soccer players in Qatar appear to be shorter, lighter and display inferior strength and jump capacities. These data can be used to tailor training and rehabilitation programs to the specifics of the league and position in which the athletes compete.

Highlights

Soccer performance is a complex concept, with multiple factors interacting, including physiological, psychological, tactical, and technical aspects
Equivocal evidence is available to show a reduced range of motion (ROM) or strength as injury risk factors [10,11,12,13,14,15], while maximal strength and jump performance has been correlated to sprint performance [16], which again is considered important in match decisive playing situations [17]
Pattern was present where strikers displayed heightened hip internal rotation (IR) range of motion with medium effect sizes when compared to defenders (d = 0.54) and goalkeepers (d = 0.73) respectively, whereas ankle dorsiflexion was greatest in goalkeepers the strength of these between-group effects was small (d < 0.38)

Summary

Introduction

Soccer performance is a complex concept, with multiple factors interacting, including physiological, psychological, tactical, and technical aspects. Physical demands vary between playing positions [1] and performance levels [2], and assessments of physical characteristics have, been used for talent identification [3], individual fitness profiling [4], and to identify injury risk factors [5]. It is of importance that coaches and clinicians can assess and evaluate the physical status of a player or team based on comparable context and position-specific normative data. Several studies have investigated the physical characteristics of players in elite European leagues [4,6,7,8,9]; data to describe elite soccer players in the Arabian Gulf states are sparse. Equivocal evidence is available to show a reduced range of motion (ROM) or strength as injury risk factors [10,11,12,13,14,15], while maximal strength and jump performance has been correlated to sprint performance [16], which again is considered important in match decisive playing situations [17].

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