| dc.description.abstract | ABSTRACT
Soccer the world's most popular sport is a physical activity that requires a high level of
conditioning in addition to proficient technical and tactical skills. The game is intermittent in
nature involving multiple motor skills with game characteristics imposing physical
performance of soccer players be based on a combination of endurance, speed, agility and
strength bounding them to have both a high power and capacity of the aerobic and anaerobic
metabolism for highest performance level ability.
The aim of the study was to assess fitness levels of Uganda Premier League soccer players
using the SPARQ test protocol. The study used six UPL soccer team which included; URA
FC, Express FC, Vipers SC, KCCA FC, Police FC and Ndejje University FC. The study used
those team’s soccer players in the testing from the different playing positions of goalkeeping,
defending, midfielders and forwards. Data collection tools were used in recording
information obtained from participants after completion of required tests including the
standing vertical jump height, 20m sprint, Arrowhead agility test and the Yo-Yo Intermittent
Recovery level 2 test.
The study used 41 UPL soccer players of which 6 were goalkeepers, 11 were defenders, 14
were midfielders and 10 were forwards. The study found out the following means±s.d; age
22.76±2.63years, weight 73.947±6.641 kg, height 1.777±060m, BMI 23.40±1.80kgm-2,
standing vertical jump height 53.921 ±7.1 02cm, 20m sprint 3.599±0.220s, Arrowhead agility
right 8.820±0.492s - left 8.91 1 ±0.423s, Yo-Yo IR2 10.329±4.135 level. No statistical
significant difference was found among different playing position in all fitness components
(p>0.05) at 5% level of confidence.
Positional specific difference existed among all aspects of fitness; defenders, midfielders and
forwards showed almost similar lower BMI to that of the goalkeepers; goalkeepers and
defenders showed almost similar higher jumping heights to those of the almost similar least
jump heights of forwards and midfielders; all player positions showed almost similar 20m
sprint time but with forwards being fastest and goalkeepers slowest; forwards showed higher
agility levels followed by midfielders and defenders with almost similar agility levels and
then the goalkeepers with the least; forwards, midfielders and defenders showed almost
similar higher anaerobic endurance capacity to those of the lower goalkeepers' capacity. | en_US |
