EVALUATION OF SELECTED PERFORMANCE-RELATED FITNESS STATUS OF MALE SOCCER PLAYERS AT THE 2024 TERTIARY SOCCER COMPETITION IN KANO STATE

Abstract

In everyday life, fitness is a prerequisite for healthy living, while in sports, it is an important determinant of successful performance and an antidote to sports-related injuries. Physical fitness characteristics such as strength, flexibility and endurance have implications for health and performance; and are vital in successful attainment in all aerobic and anaerobic sporting events, including soccer-playing ability and in prevention of stress injuries. In order to ascertain the significance of these variables; using standard procedures, the 2024 KAHIGA-bound male soccer players (N=16) were exposed to several tests to ascertain their fitness levels and preparedness for the tournament. Results showed that they faired above average in all the tests, and when compared with results from other studies, they presented superior values in strength (N=16; P > 0.05) and endurance (N=16; P > 0.05), but poorly in flexibility (N=16; P < 0.05). Matched against standard norms, the subjects scored 70^th and 75^th percentile in strength and endurance (VO₂max) respectively but average (50^th percentile) in flexibility tests. It was concluded that despite the age, gender and body type factors that inhibit fitness status among young adults, a consistent year-round training would be necessary for healthy living and successful soccer-playing ability. It is, therefore, recommended that a health and performance physical fitness training should be included in the daily exercise routine of sportsmen and women in tertiary institutions.