Author(s): Avinash Kharel and Dr. Sujay Bisht

Abstract:
The Body fat percentage (BF%) is a factor contributing to the soccer performance and athlete health. Body fat percentages have been widely studied in soccer, with its impact in playing performance of athlete observed over time. However, a paucity of current data exists in comparing body fat percentage among different national and university athletes playing soccer. The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare Body fat percentage among three different soccer teams. A total of 33 athletes from 3 different countries participated: Bhutan (n=11), Bangladesh (n=11) and Inter-university team from India (n=11). Body Height (BH) and Body Mass (BM) were measured using stadiometer and caliberated digital scale, respectively. Body Fat Percentage (BF%) was assessed using Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). One -way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess difference among the teams. Least Squares Difference (LSD) post hoc analysis were performed when a significant finding (p≤0.05) was identified. Bhutan team had the lowest BF% (7.30±1.84) in comparison to Bangladesh team (8.57±1.87) and Inter-university team of India (10.05±1.38). Assessment of body composition is an important component of an ongoing monitoring of athletes interested to improve soccer performance. These data may assist in the establishment of descriptive values for use in goal setting and exercise programming.

Pages: 294-297  |  780 Views  204 Downloads