Differences in indicators of functional and motor capacities between soccer players of different age and playing positions

Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je utvrditi razlike u pokazateljima funkcionalnih i motoričkih kapaciteta izmeĎu nogometaša različitog igračkog uzrasta i pozicija. U istraţivanju je sudjelovao 51 ispitanik niţeligaškog nogometnog kluba NK Našk u dobi od 11 do 32 godine. Ispitanici su bili podijeljeni prema uzrasnim kategorijama: mlaĎi pioniri (n=12), stariji pioniri (n=17), kadeti (n=10), juniori (n=6), seniori (n=6). Uz to, ispitanici su bili podijeljeni i prema igračkoj poziciji: vratari (n=6), obrambeni (n=11), bočni (n=9), vezni (n=14), napadači (n=11). Svi ispitanici testirani su u testovima skok u dalj iz mjesta, sargent test, sprint 20 metara, 9-3-6-3-9 test, Ajaxov test 5x10 metara i beep test. ANOVA-om su utvrĎene statistički značajne razlike u funkcionalnim i motoričkim sposobnostima ispitanika s obzirom na uzrasnu kategoriju. Zaključak autora je da kvalitetna procjena za nogomet bitnih sposobnosti omogućava dobivanje povratne informacije o trenutnom kondicijskom statusu nogometaša, te omogućava izradu kvalitetnijeg plana i programa treninga.The main purpose of this study has been to determine the variations in indicators of functional and motor capacities among soccer players of different age and playing positions. The study included 51 participants, aged 11 to 32 years, playing for a minor-league association football team FC Našk. The participants were subdivided according to age categories: U13 (n=12), U15 (n=17), U17 (n=10), U19 (n=6) and seniors (n=6). Also, the participants were subdivided according to the playing positions: goalkeepers (n=6), defenders (n=11), full backs (n=9), midfielders (n=14), forwards (n=11). All of the participant have been submitted to standing long jump test, Sargent jump test, 20m sprint ,9-3-6-3-9 test, Ajax 5x10m and multistage fitness (beep) test. ANOVA established statistically significant differences in functional and motor capabilities with regards to age categories. The conclusion is that high-quality assessment of football-relevant capabilities provides feedback about the footballer's current fitness status and thus also enables designing a higher-quality training plan and program