Physical characteristics of male and female high school varsity soccer players
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to create a profile of high school soccer players by measuring physical attributes, abilities, and skills in players competing in interscholastic soccer in Las Vegas. Seventy-two male and sixty-nine female varsity players completed a soccer history questionnaire and fourteen physical and skill characteristics were measured. The results indicate that high school soccer players are in slightly better physical condition compared with typical adolescents. Male players are similar to international soccer players of the same age and female players are similar to older international players. There is no difference between gender and position played with respect to physical and physiological characteristics. Differences did exist between soccer positions, regardless of gender. The positional placement of individual players appears to be an important factor in separating the successful teams from unsuccessful teams.