Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league

Abstract Aim of study The aim of the study was to examine the differences between professional football players from leading and average teams in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities. The sample of participants included 55 professional football players from the Serbian Super League, th...

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Main Authors: Radivoje Radakovic, Branislav Majkic, Borko Katanic, Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Aleksandra Aleksic Veljkovic, Alexandru Ioan Băltean, Vlad Adrian Geantă
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01168-5
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author Radivoje Radakovic
Branislav Majkic
Borko Katanic
Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Aleksandra Aleksic Veljkovic
Alexandru Ioan Băltean
Vlad Adrian Geantă
author_facet Radivoje Radakovic
Branislav Majkic
Borko Katanic
Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Aleksandra Aleksic Veljkovic
Alexandru Ioan Băltean
Vlad Adrian Geantă
author_sort Radivoje Radakovic
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aim of study The aim of the study was to examine the differences between professional football players from leading and average teams in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities. The sample of participants included 55 professional football players from the Serbian Super League, the top-tier national football competition. Methods The sample was divided into players representing the leading team (LT; n = 29) and the average team (AT; n = 26) in the Serbian championship. A total of 16 parameters were measured, including 5 anthropometric parameters and 11 variables of motor abilities, assessing sprint and acceleration performance, agility, explosive power, and endurance. Based on the independent t-test, it was determined that the leading team has a significantly lower fat percentage (0.016) compared to players from the average team. Results Regarding motor abilities, a difference has been observed on the side of the LT compared to AT in sprint performance, such as 20 m (0.001), and 30 m sprint (0.005), as well as acceleration index 10/20m (0.006). However, in contrast, the AT achieved better results in agility zig-zag (0.000) and zig-zag with a ball test (0.000), as well as index zig-zag (0.038). Additionally, the AT had better results in the test of explosive lower extremity power - CMJ (0.005). There were no differences between players in other anthropometric and motor performances. Conclusions These findings suggest that while the leading team demonstrates superior sprinting and acceleration capabilities, the average team excels in agility and explosive power of the lower extremities. Although certain differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities were observed between the LT and AT groups of football players, further research is needed to examine these differences in more detail and provide a more comprehensive understanding.
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spelling doaj-art-dcb2c5e2cc8e4044919e6331e987da672025-08-20T02:10:53ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-05-011711910.1186/s13102-025-01168-5Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super leagueRadivoje Radakovic0Branislav Majkic1Borko Katanic2Karuppasamy Govindasamy3Aleksandra Aleksic Veljkovic4Alexandru Ioan Băltean5Vlad Adrian Geantă6Institute of Information Technologies, University of KragujevacFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of NišMontenergin Sports AcademyDepartment of Sports Recreation and Wellness, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of NišFaculty of Physical Education and Sport, Aurel Vlaicu University of AradFaculty of Physical Education and Sport, Aurel Vlaicu University of AradAbstract Aim of study The aim of the study was to examine the differences between professional football players from leading and average teams in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities. The sample of participants included 55 professional football players from the Serbian Super League, the top-tier national football competition. Methods The sample was divided into players representing the leading team (LT; n = 29) and the average team (AT; n = 26) in the Serbian championship. A total of 16 parameters were measured, including 5 anthropometric parameters and 11 variables of motor abilities, assessing sprint and acceleration performance, agility, explosive power, and endurance. Based on the independent t-test, it was determined that the leading team has a significantly lower fat percentage (0.016) compared to players from the average team. Results Regarding motor abilities, a difference has been observed on the side of the LT compared to AT in sprint performance, such as 20 m (0.001), and 30 m sprint (0.005), as well as acceleration index 10/20m (0.006). However, in contrast, the AT achieved better results in agility zig-zag (0.000) and zig-zag with a ball test (0.000), as well as index zig-zag (0.038). Additionally, the AT had better results in the test of explosive lower extremity power - CMJ (0.005). There were no differences between players in other anthropometric and motor performances. Conclusions These findings suggest that while the leading team demonstrates superior sprinting and acceleration capabilities, the average team excels in agility and explosive power of the lower extremities. Although certain differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities were observed between the LT and AT groups of football players, further research is needed to examine these differences in more detail and provide a more comprehensive understanding.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01168-5Morphological characteristicsBody compositionMotor parametersPhysical performanceProfessional soccer players
spellingShingle Radivoje Radakovic
Branislav Majkic
Borko Katanic
Karuppasamy Govindasamy
Aleksandra Aleksic Veljkovic
Alexandru Ioan Băltean
Vlad Adrian Geantă
Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Morphological characteristics
Body composition
Motor parameters
Physical performance
Professional soccer players
title Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league
title_full Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league
title_fullStr Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league
title_full_unstemmed Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league
title_short Differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in Serbian super league
title_sort differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of professional football players from leading and average teams in serbian super league
topic Morphological characteristics
Body composition
Motor parameters
Physical performance
Professional soccer players
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01168-5
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