A Comparison of Some Parameters of Football Players According to the Leagues They Play In

The purpose of this study was to compare some parameters of football players playing in 3rd League, BAL (Regional Amateur League) and SAL (Super Amateur League) according to the leagues they play in. Body height, body weight, body mass index, age, age of becoming a registered football player, vertical jump, anaerobic power, shuttle run, aerobic capacity (MaxVO2), leg strength, back strength, right-hand grip strength and left-hand grip strength parameters were measured in this study. ANOVA test, which is one of the parametric tests, were applied for the analysis of the data and significance level of p˂0.05 was sought. In conclusion, significant differences among the leagues were found according to height, vertical jump, anaerobic power, shuttle run, aerobic capacity, leg strength and back strength. However, no significant differences were found on body mass index, age, and age of becoming a registered football player, right-hand grip strength and left-hand grip strength parameters.


Introduction
Football is one of the most popular sports branches in Turkey and the world.Besides its attractiveness, the fact that it can be applied in every society with pleasure provided it to reach to large masses and become the focus of interest for millions of people.The interaction of science and sports sciences improves the working conditions of football players and by this way improvement that provide the audiences with better watching, enjoying and getting pleasure are ensured.Thus, that interaction accelerates the progress of football and its spread to large masses (Günay and Yüce, 2008).Especially local leagues of the countries and international football organizations such as Olympic Games and world cup are organized and followed carefully by the large masses of the societies.As football, which attracts many people's interest from various languages, religions, races and geographic regions, is a sports branch that is followed by large masses, thousands of people go to the stadiums to watch the football matches, and they blow off steam by shouting.The impact of the football on the people occurs not only during the match times.It is followed closely by following sports programs and newspapers also after the matches (Bayrak, 2011).
Football is a kind of team sports in which behaviors that are aimed to score a goal and not concede a goal are exhibited in consequence of the runs made at different tempos and the motions realized with a ball that can be controlled and where it will go can be estimated (Buğdaycı, 2000).The fact that it is a sports branch that requires versatile skills, and in which an irregular and sometimes very severe aneorobic-weighted game character is reflected on basic aerobic endurance characteristics has caused many scientific studies to be conducted on football players.(Acıkada et al., 1999).These technological and scientific developments caused changes and advancements in football.Today's football has become a competition with high coordination that is played under field and time pressure, has a high tempo and requires endurance (Karatepe, 2009).
The fact that football is played on a wide field and duties that are assigned to its players vary, makeit necessary to evaluate physical and physiological requirements in terms of player positions (Marancı and Müniroğlu, 2001).Football is a game in which aerobic movements and short time anaerobic type movements combine with ball skills throughout the game (Bangsbo, 1994).It was reported that aerobic and anaerobic capacity is a high-density interval physical activity that is required to be developed well (Roescher et al, 2010).Although football is regarded as an interval activity, the game lasts for a long period of time.It has the characteristics of many short and high-density exercises that contain critical periods in it (Meckel et al, 2009).Interval physical activities are the actions that require skills together with various instincts.Exhibited physical activity, runs, jumps, tackles, explosive power, and strikes have important places in football (Garganta et al., 1992).Football is a game that requires high physical capabilities in a high and changing tempo and these capabilities are exhibited during the trainings and the games.Some researchers conducted put forth the importance of maximum power and maximal effort in this field (Davis et al., 1992).In order to be an elite player and outmaneuver the rivals in the games in today's football, it is necessary for the football players to have high level physical and physiological characteristics.The importance of physical and physiological characteristics in football was put forth in many scientific studies (Bizati, 2013).
The purpose of the study is to compare some of the parameters of the football players playing in the 3 rd League, BAL (Regional Amateur League) and SAL (Super Amateur League).Taking into account the leagues that the teams play in, it is thought that the results obtained will be a guide in transferring football players, following the progress of the players, and determining physical and physiological characteristics of the players and also for the football players they will create possibilities of competing in the leagues that is suitable for them.

Participants
The research was conducted with the football players from Kemer Belediyespor and Kızılcabolükspor from the 3 rd League, Municipality of Bucak Oğuzhanspor and Kepez Belediyespor from the Regional Amateur League, Antalya Sanayispor and Konyaaltı Belediyespor from the Super Amateur League in the 2017-2018 season.The participants consisted of total 6 teams and 132 male football players n=49 professional football players from the 3 rd League, n=46 amateur football players from the Regional Amateur League and n=37 amateur football players from the Super Amateur League.Of the football players, n=49 were the players who play football professionally, n=35 were the players who downgraded from playing as a professional to playing as an amateur, and n=48 were the amateur players who never played professionally.

Measurement of Body Height
Measurements of body heights were done by SECA brand precision height/weight measuring station.In measuring the heights, while the participants stood on foot at the vertical position, caliper sliding on the scale was adjusted as it would touch to the highest point of the head (apex).The heights were recorded with 1 mm precision (Gordon et al., 1989).

Measurement of Body Weight
Measurements of body weights of the participants were done by SECA brand precision height/weight measuring station, whose precision level is 0.1 kg.The participants wore only short, they were in barefoot and at anatomical position and the measurements were recorded in kg.

Measurement of Body Mass Index
Data were calculated by "Body Mass Index" which explains the distribution of the weight according to the height by using height and weight values obtained (Tamer, 2000).

Measurement of Hand Grip Strength
Measurements of hand grip strength were done by using Takei brand Hand Grip (Hand Dynamometer).Measurements were done after the participants warmed up for five minutes, while they were standing on foot, the arm was positioned at an angle of 45° to the body, and without bending the arms and touching to the body.This was done for both right and left hands and it was repeated twice after a trial for each hand.The best results for right and left hands were recorded in kg.

Measurement of Back Strength
Measurements of back strength were done by using Takei brand back and leg (back and lift) dynamometer.The participants put their feet on dynamometer table while they bend their knees, with stiff arms, straight back and the body leans forward slightly.Then, they hold the dynamometer handle and pull it upward vertically at a maximum rate by using their back muscles (Zorba et al., 2009;Weineck, 2011).The participants warmed up for five minutes before the measurement.They were asked to put their feet on the dynamometer table while their knees were stiff.At this position and with stiff arms, straight back and the body leaned forward slightly; they were asked to pull the dynamometer handle that they held vertically upward at a maximum rate.This pull up was repeated twice after a trial and the best score for each participant was recorded.

Measurement of Leg Strength
Measurements of leg strength were done by using Takei brand back and leg (back and lift) dynamometer.The dynamometer runs according to the pressure principle.When an external power is applied to the dynamometer, steel wire strains and moves the needle.Thus, the indicator on the dynamometer detects how much power an individual exerted in kilograms (kg).The participants warmed up for five minutes before the measurement.At the end of the warm-up, they were asked to put their feet on the dynamometer table while their knees were bent.They put their feet on the dynamometer table while their knees were bent, with stiff arms, knees were bent at an angle of between 130-140 degrees, straight back and the body leaned forward slightly.At this position, they pulled the dynamometer handle that they held upward at a maximum rate by using their legs (Ozer, 2001).

Vertical Jump Test and Calculating Anaerobic Power
For the measurements of vertical jump, Takei brand digital jump meter with 0.1 cm precision was used.Zorba (2009) stated that the reliability of the test was between 0.90 -0.97 based on the reliability studies conducted.After the LCD screen is fit by a belt around their waist and the belt is adjusted, the participants bend their knees 90° and jump upwards with two feet.After the jump, when landing the participants try to fall in the round plastic field that is laid on the ground.After landing onto the ground, if steps are taken forward or backward, then the jump is declared void and repeated again.The jumps were repeated twice and the highest scores were recorded.In calculating the anaerobic power, P = √4.9(Weight) √Dn formula (Fox et al.,1988;Sevim,1995;Zorba, 1999;Tamer,2000;Günay et al.,2006) was used."P" in the formula symbolizes power in kilogram-meter/second, and, "Dn" symbolizes vertical jump distance in meters.Body weights and vertical jump distances of the participants were placed in the formula and anaerobic powers of the individuals were found in kilogram meter/second (kgm/sec).

Shuttle Run Test and Calculating Aerobic Capacity
Aerobic capacities of the participants were measured by Shuttle Run Test.Measurements were made on grass grounds.This is a test that consists of 23 levels and 20 m distance is run continuously between two lines with an initial running velocity of 8.5 km.h-1 (9 sec) which increases by 0.5 km.h each minute.One beep that was recorded states that the shuttle ended and 3 beeps state that the next level started.The athletes were warmed up for a short time before the test and they were motivated.It was stated that at the end of each shuttle they were expected to put their foot on or beyond the 20 m line, if they arrive before the beep, they should wait for the beep, and continue running after the beep.By making shuttle run test, the participants tried to adjust their running tempos according to the beeps that accelerate at certain speeds (Duration between the beeps get shorter in time.).If a participant becomes exhausted or unable to keep up with the beep recording of a shuttle twice, then the test was terminated for him.Number of levels and shuttles were recorded.A study were conducted in 1988, 36 male and 38 female athletes participated it, and shuttle run test and 5 km running test were compared.In this test, Ramsbottom et al. (1988) found strong correlation between MaxVO 2 and shuttle level (r=0.92) and between 5 km running test and MaxVO 2 (r=-0.94).When the two tests were compared, a strong correlation (r=-0.96)were detected.In order to determine the aerobic capacity, in converting shuttle levels obtained in the end of the test to MaxVO 2 , the table and the method that Ramsbottom et al. (1988) developed was used (As cited in.Aslan and Koc, 2015).

Personal Information Form
The information of the football players participating in the study were obtained by using personal information form.The scores they got during the measurements were recorded in these personal information forms.

Analysis of the Data
In this study, statistical results were calculated by using SPSS 23 package software.Frequency (n), arithmetic average (X), and standard deviation (Ss) of measured and tested variables of all of the participants playing football in different leagues were calculated according to the teams.For the test of normality of the data used in the study, Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used.Test of normality was conducted and the data showed normal distribution.ANOVA test, which is one of the parametric tests, was used as the data fit the normal distribution.The significance level of p˂0.05 was accepted statistically.However, characteristics of the participants in height [F(2-129)=3.635;p<.05]dimension differ significantly according to the leagues.In this dimension, heights of the football players playing in the 3. League (179.52±6.50) is higher when compared to the heights of the football players playing in the Super Amateur League (176.09±6.45).

Table 1. General findings of the football players participating in the study
Table 3.Comparison of vertical jump, anaerobic power, shuttle run, aerobic capacity and strength measurements according to the leagues Marangoz (2008).Erkmen et al. (2005) found that the average body weight of the 17 football players playing in the Turkish 2. League was 74.53 kg.Regarding the comparison of BMI according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average BMI of the 3. League was 23.46±1.48kg/m 2 , average BMI of the BAL was 23.40±1.56kg/m 2 , average BMI of the SAL was 23.30±1.92kg/m 2 .Any statistically significant correlation was not found between the 3. League, BAL, and SAL in terms of BMI.When the ages were compared according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average age of the 3. League was 23.34±3.50years, the average age of the BAL was 23.58±4.00years and the average age of the SAL was 24.78±5.91years.Any statistically significant correlation was not found between the 3. League, BAL, and SAL in terms of the average ages of the football players.The average age of the football players who participated in the study of 3. League team was detected as 24.75 ±5.17 years by Marangoz (2008).Erkmen et al. (2005) reported that in the study they conducted with the 17 football players playing in the 2. League, they found the average age of the football players as 20.71 years.When the ABRFP was compared according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average ABRFP of the 3. League was 13.14±3.61years, average ABRFP of the BAL was 12.26±3.85years and average ABRFP of the SAL was 12.83±5.62years.Any statistically significant correlation between the 3. League, BAL, and SAL was not found.When the vertical jump scores were compared according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average vertical jump score of the 3. League was 59.08±7.38 cm, average vertical jump score of the BAL was 56.89±5.62 cm, and average vertical jump score of the SAL was 53.43±5.66cm.In this context, a statistically significant correlation in favor of the 3. League was found between the 3. League and the SAL.In the comparison of anaerobic power according to the leagues in our study, it was found that average anaerobic power of the 3. League was 128.90±17.13kg.m/sec, average anaerobic power of the BAL was 122.76±12.25 kg.m/sec and average anaerobic power of SAL was 116.63±14.64kg.m/sec.In this context, a statistically significant correlation in favor of the 3. League was found between the 3. League and the SAL.In the comparison of shuttle run scores according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average shuttle run score of the 3. League was 102.43±16.69,average shuttle run score of the BAL was 114.85±13.00and average shuttle run score of the SAL was 100.73±16.86.Statistically significant correlation between the BAL and the 3. League, and between the BAL and the SAL was detected and it was found that shuttle run scores of the BAL were higher than those of the 3. League and the SAL.When the aerobic capacities were compared according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average MaxVO 2 of the 3. League was 52.47±5.06ml/kg/min, average MaxVO 2 of the BAL was 56.24±3.59ml/kg/min and average MaxVO 2 of the SAL was 52.08±4.96ml/kg/min.A statistically significant correlation was found between the BAL and the 3. League and between the BAL and the SAL and it was detected that aerobic capacity values of the BAL were higher than those of the 3. League and the SAL.Erkmen et al. (2005) reported the MaxVO 2 levels of the athletes as 51.36 ml/kg/min after they implemented shuttle run test to the 17 football players playing football in the 2. League of Turkey.In the comparison of leg strength according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average leg strength of the 3. League was 160.43±25.20 kg, average leg strength of the BAL was 163.00±29.75kg and average leg strength of the SAL was 132.57±21.49kg.Statistically significant correlation between the SAL and the 3. League and between the SAL and the BAL was detected and it was found that leg strength value of the SAL was lower than those of the 3. League and the BAL.In the comparison of back strength according to the leagues in our study, it was found that average back strength of the 3. League was 154.10±25.82kg, the average back strength of the BAL was 144.85±25.92kg and average back strength of the SAL was 134.86±21.49kg.In this context, a statistically significant correlation in favor of the 3. League was found between the 3. League and the SAL.In the comparison of right-hand grip strength according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average right-hand grip strength of the 3. League was 42.37±6.83kg, average right-hand grip strength of the BAL was 42.94±7.75kg and average right-hand grip strength of the SAL was 41.22±6.02kg.Any statistically significant correlation was not found between the 3. League, the SAL, and the BAL in terms of right-hand grip strength.In the comparison of left-hand grip strength according to the leagues in our study, it was found that the average left-hand grip strength of the 3. League was 41.34±6.13kg, average left-hand grip strength of the BAL was 40.82±7.61kg and average left-hand grip strength of the SAL was 40.35±5.46kg.Any statistically significant correlation was not found between the 3. League, the SAL, and the BAL in terms of left-hand grip strength.When the literature is reviewed, it is observed that the results of this study resemble those of many studies (Erkmen et al., 2005;Marangoz, 2008).Considering differences that emerged between our study and some studies, we think that these differences occur because of the increases in physical fitness levels as the football progresses continuously and changes in rules that Turkish Football Federation (TFF) make at certain times.For example, for the 2017-2018 seasons, while foreign football players cannot play in the 3. League, they can play in the BAL and the SAL.Scientific data on today's football develop and change continuously as the sports sciences and possibilities of research progress.In this context, physical characteristics of today's football players also develop in line with the requirements of today's football.When the league variable was examined according to the data obtained, it can be argued that there are different types of football players between the leagues in terms of physical fitness levels.
When the 3. League football players are compared with the other football players, they stand out according to the other leagues in terms of height, strength and anaerobic power characteristics.In terms of aerobic capacity, the BAL stands out when compared to the other leagues.When the physical fitness levels of the SAL football players are compared with the other leagues, lower scores were obtained.At the same time, it was observed that the football players who downgraded from being professional to being amateur make amateur leagues such as the BAL and the SAL heterogeneous and the football players playing in the leagues increase their physical and physiological characteristics.It can also be stated that ages and the ages of becoming a registered football player of the players who downgraded from being professional to being amateur are higher.
Taking into account the leagues that the teams play in, it is thought that these kind of researches can be used in transferring of the players, in following the progress of the players and in determining physical and physiological characteristics that the players have, as well as they can be used for creating the contents and planning of the trainings during the preparation period, during the season and at the end of the season.Based on the results of our study, it can be suggested that the football players who played at amateur level only, give weight to the trainings aimed at developing anaerobic power, leg and back strengths besides general strength, general endurance, and core trainings in order for them to be able to play football at professional level.It is thought that with extensive and intensive interval, core and combined training methods, anaerobic power, leg and back strengths of the football players at this status will be able to increase to upper levels.It is projected that the football players, who play in the Super Amateur League and have a goal of playing in the upper leagues, will attain their goals easily if they do trainings at upper levels, prepare themselves to upper leagues and do comprehensive and efficient trainings.

Table 2 .
Variables of height, weight, body mass index, age, and age of becoming a registered football player according to the leagues