THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANAEROBIC POWER, REACTION TIME AND BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS OF YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract

The anaerobic activities is frequently used in soccer including high intensity actions. The aim of this study was to examine relationships between anaerobic power, reaction times and body composition parameters of young soccer players. The twenty-seven amateur young soccer players (Age: 13.81 +/- 0.48 years, height: 166.74 +/- 6.16 cm, weight: 55.17 +/- 5.40 kg) were involved in study voluntarily. The Wingate anaerobic power test parameters (minimum power, mean power, peak power, fatigue index), dominant and non-dominant hand visual and auditory reaction times and body composition parameters (lean body mass, body fat mass and body fat percent) were examined. The statistical relationships among explored variables were determined by correlation analyze technique. The relationship between parameters was examined by Pearson's correlation coefficient. According to the results, it was found that lean body mass, anaerobic capacity and mean power parameters had a statistical positive correlations (p < 0.05). Also, it was found that body fat percent and body fat mass values had a negative correlation with minimum power values (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between visual and auditory reaction time values with body composition and anaerobic power parameters. Consequently, it could be said that the relationship between lean body mass and body fat percent with some anaerobic power parameters could be arisen from similar mechanisms affecting related parameters. Also, it can be concluded that the reaction time parameter is not closely related to the body composition and anaerobic power parameters, as it is closer related to neural mechanisms than physical mechanisms.