Influencing Effect of Physical Fitness Components on Football Playing Ability Among Male Players Under 14 Years

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the influencing effect of physical fitness components on football playing ability among male players under 14 years. This study uses a cross-sectional method of survey design. A total of 208 football male players under 14 years were randomly selected from a school-based football programme in Malaysia. The data of this study were analyzed using multiple linear regression test. The findings indicate that there are nine out of 14 predictor tests of physical fitness components which are body mass index, body fat percentage, sit and reach, standing long jump, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (VO_2max), 5 meter sprint, 30 meter sprint, T-test (left) and T-test (right) have significant influencing effect on football playing ability among male players under 14 years. The combination of these nine physical fitness component tests contributed 79.6 percent (R Square value = .796) the variance of the physical fitness component can be explained by the linear combination of scores in the football playing ability [F (14, 193) = 53.649, p <.000]. In conclusion, nine physical fitness component predictor tests can be used as a physical fitness standard test battery for male football players under 14 years. The implication of study showed that the use of nine physical fitness component predictor tests can ensure the selected football male player talent under 14 years are those who really have a high level of physical fitness to compete at international level.