Anthropometric parameters in national footballers in the Republic of Macedonia.

OBJECTIVES The focus of this study is on anthropometric characteristics of footballers in the Republic of Macedonia, and the aim is to provide normative data for selected anthropometric parameters for adult male footballers in our country. MATERIAL AND METHOD The study included eight hundred (800) adult male footballers, aged 24.06 ± 4.8y (age range 18-35y), who have undertaken routine sport medical examinations over a ten-year period. The football players were divided into six age - specific subgroups ("up to 20"; "up to 22"; "up to 24"; "up to 26"; "up to 28" and "over 28" years). Anthropometric measurements were made by Matiegka's protocols and body composition components were determined. RESULTS Average values of body height (178.8 ± 6.7 cm), body weight (77.72 ± 7.9 kg), lean body mass (66.21 ± 6.36 kg), body components ( MM% = 53.04; BM% = 17.15; FM% = 14.7%) and a large series of anthropometric measurements which define the footballers' anthropometric dimensions were obtained. The distribution of the adipose tissue regarding the body and limbs showed that the skinfolds were thickest on the lower limbs and thinnest on the arms. CONCLUSIONS The adult football players in Republic of Macedonia were insignificantly variable in height and body mass from their counter parts from European and American teams. The football players up to 20 year, who played in the senior national football league were lighter and smaller than their older colleagues. The football players aged from 20 to 35 years were insignificantly variable in height, body mass, and anthropometric dimensions of limbs and trunk.