Study of the level of fitness in under - 16 male football players & effects of puberty on fitness

The purpose of this study was:

To find the fitness levels in under 16 male football players.

To compare the fitness levels between children of same age group & the team players.

To find the effects of puberty on fitness.

60 Students were included–30 undergoing training for soccer & 30 not undergoing any training. The age group selected was 14 – 15 years.

Players with regular training.

Children playing football as a recreational activity.

History of sports injury in the last 3 months.

Underlying medical and surgical condition.

Performance enhancing drug consumption.

Their fitness levels were assessed based on the following parameters

Aerobic-Harvard step test Anaerobic – 35 meter Sprint test Agility – T test Flexibility test – Sit and Reach test

Co-ordination test for Goalkeepers – Alternate wall hand toss

Strength test – Squat test Equilibrium/Balance test – Stork test.

The outcome was measured in terms of the fitness scores of each test. A comparison was done between the trained & untrained individuals & effects of puberty on fitness were noted.

The data was analyzed, the results observed were - Poor aerobic scores, Very Good anaerobic scores, Good agility scores, Fair flexibility scores, Excellent co-ordination & Strength scores & Average Static balance scores in training group.

Comparison between students undergoing training & those not trained showed that the untrained group had lower fitness levels. Pubertal effects played an important role in improvement of the functions of the various parameters involved in fitness.

The study confirms the fact that training plays an important role in the fitness levels of the students.

The students undergoing training showed a great increase in their fitness levels compared to those not undergoing any training.

But among the team players, there is a marked decrease in their Aerobic capacities whereas the other parameters range between fair to excellent scores. Hence, Aerobic fitness training should be emphasized upon.

Fitness levels cannot be used to judge a player's performance in the game, as other factors such as Team Work, Skill, Psychological & Mental Spirit, Tactics & a small amount of Good Fortune plays a very important role to determine the winner.