Somatotype of the human body is influenced
by many factors. In addition to genetic, there are also environmental factors
and cultural differences. The
aim of this study was to compare the morphological configuration of men’s body of
Slovak and Saudi Arabian soccer
players and find out the differences between soccer players in different the playing positions .
The study
sample consisted of 50 Slovak soccer
players aged 19-26 years (21.28±1.46), including 18 defenders, 13 forwards, six
goalkeepers, and 13 midfielders, and 50 Saudi Arabian soccer players aged 18-25 years (20.12±1.77), including 16
defenders, 20 forwards, four goalkeepers, and 10 midfielders. The used Heath-Carter
method categorize people into 13 groups according to the predominant physical
component. The results indicated that soccer players differed among themselves according
to playing positions. Slovak defenders and forwards were balanced mesomorphs,
Slovak goalkeepers were endomorphic
mesomorphs and central type was the predominant in Slovak midfielders. Almost
all Saudi Arabian soccer players were predominantly mesomorph-endomorphs, with
the exception of the defenders who were endomorphic mesomorphs. On average, the predominant
somatotype of Slovak soccer players was balanced mesomorph (2-8,4-1,2-4), and of Saudi Arabian soccer players mesomorph-endomorph (3-8,4-3,1-4). It seems that the
somatotype of soccer players varies depending on the country as well as the playing position. Therefore, it is necessary to examine
anthropometry also with regard to geographical and cultural differences. In
addition, regular evaluation of soccer player’s somatotype can help coaches implement exercise
elements that would probably increase players’ sports performance.