Assessing the Somatotype Profile of Gorkha Soccer Players

ABSTRACT


INTRODUCTION
Soccer is the most popular sports discipline in the world.There are many physical indicators of soccer performance.Anthropometric characteristics are important indicators and can influence the progress of soccer players (Shahram Faradjzadeh Mevaloo, A. F. 2021).The literature review showed that height, body mass, body fat percentage, and somatotype are some of the important anthropometric characteristics associated with performance (Norton and Olds 1996).Somatotype is an essential characteristic that can indicate elite athletic suitability.This parameter, combined with body composition and proportionality indices, could be used in talent identification programs.There is a large amount of data in the literature about the suitability of different somatotype patterns not only for sports disciplines but also for intra-sport positions, events and weight categories.However, some of these data need to be refreshed and updated due to secular trends, modification of the rules of the sport, greater availability of elite athletes as subjects, and emerging new training methods.Body composition makes an important contribution to an individual's level of physical fitness performance, particularly in activities that require one to carry one's body weight, which is associated with multiple jumps because the effectiveness of any physical performance has been related to numerous basic, traits found in boys and girls which includes their maturation, body size and types of body (Daksh Sharma, 2017).Body composition and shape in different groups of humans, including athletes, determines Somatotype which can be classified into three categories Endomorphy (related to fatness), Mesomorphy (related to muscle mass) and Ectomorphy (related to linearity and slenderness), (Shahram Faradjzadeh Mevaloo, A. F. 2021).This study aimed to find out the somatotype Profile of Gorkha soccer players based on their position and also find out which somatotype category were more distinguishing.It was hypothesized that the somatotype of Gorkha players would vary in different playing positions.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Many factors are important in determining the success of a football player or a team.Football players have to adapt to the physical demands of the game, which are multifactorial.Players may not need to have an extraordinary capacity within any one of the areas of physical performance but must possess a reasonably high level within all areas.Morphological characteristics, body composition and somatic dimensions play a vital role in determining the success of an athlete (J.E. Lindsay Carter, B. H. 1990) & (William Duquet and J. E. Lindsay Carter, R. E. 2009).During a football match, the player's movements are characterized by high intensity, short-term actions and pauses of varying length.To be successful in such a team sport, football players need an optimal combination of technical, tactical, physical characteristics (e.g.somatotype and body composition), and mental motivation (Sukanta Saha, B. K. 2014), among other sports characteristics.Moreover, (Shahram Faradjzadeh Mevaloo 2021) research on Iranian soccer players provides relevant context regarding somatotype variations among players in different sports and positions.The study's methodological approach, including the use of ISAK measurements and Heath-Carter equations, ensures rigorous assessment and comparison of somatotypes.Additionally, the discussion on body fat percentage variations among playing positions reflects findings from a (Kumar, V. 2020) investigation on women soccer players, emphasising the multifactorial nature of body composition in sports performance.Furthermore, insights from studies on volleyball players by (Omprakash Gangey 2016) and football players by (Sukanta Saha et al. 2014) underscore the importance of position-specific physique characteristics in athletic success, supporting the relevance of the current study's findings for player development and training strategies.The present study extends this understanding by focusing on specific somatotype profiles in soccer players.Numerous studies have shown how crucial it is to take anthropometric traits into account when developing training plans, identifying potential, and optimizing performance across a range of sports.

MATERIALS AND METHOD
A total number of 30 national-level soccer players from different academies or clubs who participated in the National Level Championships Tournament will be purposively selected from Gorkhas of West Bengal and Sikkim, who were selected as subjects for the study.The age range of the subjects was between 18 years to 25 years.The players had experience in competitive Soccer for 10-12 years and also, they were active in playing Soccer.After observing each subject's playing position and taking the subject's view, and coach's concern, they were divided into three groups Striker (n=10), Midfielder (n=10) and Defender (10).Participants provided written informed consent from the players before the collection of the data.

Anthropometric Measurements
All the measurements had been done by following the standard methods described by the International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry.The Equation for Endomorphy 0.1451(X) -0.00068(X 2 ) + 0.0000014(X 3 ) -0.7182Where 'X' = (Sum of triceps, subscapular and supraspinale skinfolds) multiplied by (170.18/height in cm).Body density was calculated by the equations of Durnin and Womersley (1974).Then, body fat was determined by the Siri equation ( 1956) for each of the densities previously calculated.

Equation for Mesomorphy
In the following table mentions the name of Anthropometric variables, equipment used and unit of measurement.Analytical Procedure For analysis of data standard statistical procedure was used.Mean was calculated as a measure of central tendency by using the formula-measure of variability by using the formula- The standard deviation (SD) was calculated as the The range was calculated as the simplest measure of variability or dispersion by using the formula-

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Somatotypes of Gorkha soccer players were displayed in the following Table .The mean average and standard deviation of somatotype categories were shown in Table 2.
According to the International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) measurements were found the somatotypes i.e., Endomorphy, Mesomorphy and Ectomorphy.(1990) equations, for body fat (%) was calculated using Durnin and Womersley (1974) and body density and fat % by Siri (1956).From these values, the mean body fat for each player was calculated and differences between playing positions were analyzed (Table 3).Strikers had a higher body fat than other positions, although no significant differences with midfielders and defenders were observed.The percentage of Gorkha soccer players which fall under each somatotype component and the classification of somatotype according to their position is shown in Table 4.Most of the players showed a somatotype that To ease the interpretation of the somatotype results, a somatochart were performed for each position (Figure 1).Strikers (n=2), Midfielders (n=6) and Defenders (n=6) are all located in the ectomorphic-mesomorph quadrant, while the other positions showed a higher dispersion.

DISCUSSION
The presented findings provide the somatotypes, body fat percentage, and anthropometric characteristics of male Gorkha soccer players at the national level based on their playing positions considering the somatotype distribution, body fat percentage, and differences among playing positions.Ectomorphic Mesomorph emerges as the dominant somatotype category across all playing positions, indicating a blend of lean muscle mass and slender body types.This finding aligns with the dynamic and endurance-focused nature of soccer, where players require a combination of agility and strength.Moreover, the prevalence of Endomorphic Mesomorph and Mesomorphic Ectomorph somatotypes suggests a diversity in body compositions among players.This variety may be attributed to individual player characteristics and playing styles associated with different positions.
The dominance of Ectomorphic Mesomorph as the primary somatotype component across all playing positions aligns with previous research in soccer.A supportive study conducted by Reilly et al. (2000) found that elite soccer players often exhibit characteristics associated with the mesomorphic and ectomorphic somatotypes, emphasizing the importance of a balance between muscle mass and agility in the sport.Additionally, the higher values of endomorphy and mesomorphy observed in strikers compared to midfielders and defenders are consistent with the notion that strikers may benefit from a more robust and muscular physique, providing an advantage in goal-scoring situations (Ostojic et al., 2014).The analysis of body fat percentage indicates variations across playing positions.Strikers exhibit a slightly higher body fat percentage compared to midfielders and defenders, although the differences are not statistically significant.This finding may be associated with the specific physiological demands and playing styles of strikers, who may prioritize explosive movements and strength, potentially contributing to a slightly higher body fat percentage.
The discussion of body fat percentage incorporates the use of various anthropometric measurements and equations, including those by Heath and Carter (1990), Durnin andWomersley (1974), andSiri (1956).The

CONCLUSION
Based on the results, in light of the conclusion drawn and within the limitations of the study, it can be revealed that our body system has been gifted by nature to accommodate and change appropriately within the physiological limits.Gorkha soccer players' body type with high dominance in Ectomorphic Mesomorph with a slight Endomorphic Mesomorph leads to higher and more effective performance.Furthermore, the Body Fat % of Gorkha soccer players is 75%, Midfielders 73%, and Defenders at 71% respectively.So, the study concluded that the Ectomorphic and Mesomorphic body types benefit elite-level soccer players.This study can be used by coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, and nutritionists as normative data on the body profile of male Gorkha soccer players, sets national and international standards, playing positions, and tournament levels.
(0.858 × H.B) + (0.601 × F.B) + (0.188 × C.A.G) + (0.161 × C.C.G) -(Height × 0.131) + 4.5 Where H. B= Humerus Breadth, F. B= Femur Breadth, C.A.C= Corrected Arm Girth (Flexed Arm Girth -Triceps Skinfold/10), C.C.C= Corrected Calf Girth (Maximal Calf Girth -Calf Skinfold/10).Equation for Ectomorphy If HWR ≥ 40.75, then Ectomorphy = 0.732 × HWR -28.58If HWR < 40.75 and > 38.25, then Ectomorphy = 0.463 × HWR -17.63If HWR ≤ 38.25, then Ectomorphy = 0.1 or (recorded as ½) utilization of multiple methods adds robustness to the analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of body composition among Gorkha soccer players.While the study provides valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations.The sample size, specific training regimens, and dietary habits of players were not discussed in detail, which could influence somatotype and body fat percentage outcomes.The lack of statistically significant differences in body fat percentages among playing positions, as shown in Table3, underscores the complexity of assessing body composition in soccer players.A study bySilva et al. (2013) supports this idea, indicating that factors beyond playing positions, such as playing style, dietary habits, and individual training protocol may influence body fat variations among soccer players.The findings of this study offer practical implications for training programs tailored to position-specific physique characteristics.The support from existing literature, such as the work of Ostojic et al. (2014) and Reilly et al. (2000), underscores the importance of individualized training approaches based on the unique demands of playing positions in soccer.These findings have implications for player development, training, and position-specific strategies.Coaches and sports scientists may use this information to tailor training programs based on the physiological characteristics associated with different playing positions.Furthermore, ongoing research and longitudinal studies are encouraged to enhance the understanding of somatotype variations and their impact on soccer performance among diverse populations.

Table 1 :
Description of anthropometric variables, equipment used and unit of measurement

Anthropometric Variables Equipment Used Unit of Measurements
Diameter of body parts (Biepicondylar Humerus and Femur) Sliding Caliper Centimeter (cm) Circumference of body parts (Upper Arm flexed & Calif)Anthropometric Tape Centimeter (cm)

Table 2 :
Descriptive basic data and Somatotype of Male Gorkha Soccer Players based on positions (Mean±SD)

Table 4 :
The percentage of profiles that fall under each major somatotype category for National Level Gorkha It showed a total number of five (5) somatotypes were found among the players.Table4it presented that Ectomorphic Mesomorph (S=2, M=6, D=6), Endomorphic Mesomorph (S=3, M=3, D=3), and Mesomorphic Ectomorph (S=4, M=0, D=0) were at the top of the table 4. Whereas Balanced Ectomorph and Mesomorphic Endomorph the less representative in their percentage distribution.
Figure 1: Somatotype distribution of somatotype categories of Gorkha soccer players by positions was Ectomorphic Mesomorph is the most important component in all positions.