A Comparism of the Cardio-Respiratory Fitness and Muscular Endurance of Basketball and Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometric variables and somatotype of University of Lagos Basket ball players and soccer players. The anthropometric variables included height, weight, leg length, and body mass index, and percentage body fat (Skinfold measurement). Thirty males students comprising of fifteen basket ball players and fifteen soccer players participated in this study, their age range from 16-29 years. Blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, three Skinfold site (Chest abdomen and thigh), body mass index BMI, leg length and hand length were measured according to standard procedure. SPSS version 14 was used to analyse the ttest and the level of significance was set at 0.05. The result revealed that there is a significant difference in some of the Anthropometric variables between the Basketball players and soccer players. A significant difference revealed in their height, leg and hand length with basket ball players being the tallest. There was no significant difference in the BMI and body fat percent of the two groups. The basket ball players exhibited linearity with combination of muscularity while the soccer players are within an average weight and height. It was therefore concluded that the basket ball players have the characteristics of an ectormophic mesomorphic while the soccer players are more of mesomorphic endomorphs. Indeed, it can be assumed that athlete’s anthropometric characteristics can in some way influence his/her of performance, at the same time helping to determine a suitable physique for certain sports. Tell people are naturally attracted to basketball while in soccer height also plays an important role although it all depends on the position at which the athlete is playing. Therefore the anthropometric characteristic of an athlete must be considered relative to the specific sport, athletes’ position or the type of event.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(1), 96-105, 2011