EVALUATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN TALENT IDENTIFICATION AMONG SOCCER PLAYERS IN THE INDIAN STATE OF MANIPUR

Abstract

Background: Physiological characteristics offer a potent approach to understanding the underpinnings of human behaviour and provide information about the internal state of an individual. It involves the function of the circulatory, respiratory, and related systems during the activity. Some physiological characteristics, such as pulse rate, force vital capacity, slow vital capacity, maximum voluntary ventilation, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic capacity, have long been allied with accomplishment in certain sports. The main objective was to study how the physiological characteristics are assessed among soccer players in talent identification in Manipur. The minor objectives were to 1) assess the global physiological characteristics of soccer players; 2) investigate the influence of age on the physiological characteristics of soccer players; and 3) to develop a norm and grading scale for talent identification in physiological characteristics among soccer players. Method: The subjects were a group of soccer players in Manipur (N = 45) who regularly attend morning practise programmes organised by various clubs and academies affiliated to the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA). A simple random sampling technique was used to select the subjects. The age of the subjects ranged between 12 and 16 years. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics such as one-way ANOVA were used as statistical techniques for data analysis. Data was collected during January and February 2023. Results: The results indicate the good global physiological condition of the players and the age of the players has nothing to do with all the selected physiological conditions of the players except Slow Vital Capacity. Conclusion: The study is significant because it can help certain people such as coaches, physiotherapy and athletes in intermittent team sports such as soccer to improve physiological functions. In addition, this study can also increase the knowledge of coaches and athletes, and show them how important it is to have efficient physiological conditions to improve their performances in their sport..