Anthropometric and motor fitness characteristics of adolescent male soccer players in secondary and high schools

This comparative study was conducted to determine the anthropometric and motor fitness characteristics of adolescent male soccer players in secondary and high schools. A total of 240 selected members of Iranian premier soccer league teams in academic years of 2011–2012 were studied. The teams were from two age groups; 13–15 and 16–17 years. The anthropometrical measurements encompassed 13 variables. Skin fold thickness measurements were taken using skin fold caliper at seven sites, and the Motor fitness variables were 6 tests. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test were used in data processing. The high school players were significantly (p<0.05) more than secondary school players in the body mass, leg length, upper arm girth, bicrystal and elbow diameters and lean body mass measurements but remaining anthropometric measurements were similar, and also in the results of motor fitness tests, in except of shuttle-run test, high school players showed significantly (p<0.05) better scores than secondary school players. In respect of the results, is concluded that the young male soccer players will be attained in each age level, specific anthropometric, body composition and motor fitness conditions, and with progress in the especial training of soccer game and their playing experience, their physical condition and characteristics will be changed.