Limited information is available on the morphological characteristics of adult female footballers, therefore the aim of this article was to examine if there are position-specific differences in the morphological characteristics of sub-elite female football players and to establish normative standards for this level of female football players. The morphological features of 101 sub-elite female football players (age: 21.8 ± 2.7 years) were assessed. Twenty anthropometric sites were measured for body composition and somatotype. The average value of body fat percentage was 20.8 ± 5.7%. The somatotype of the overall group was 4.0–2.4–2.1. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found between goalkeepers and outfield players in morphological characteristics. Goalkeepers were taller (166.2 ± 8.4 cm), heavier (66.5 ± 5.1 kg), possessed the highest body fat percentage (17.2 ± 6.2%) and showed higher values for all skinfold (sum of 6 skinfolds = 125.6 ± 45.9 cm), breadth, girth and length measurements. However, there were very few practically worthwhile differences between the outfield positions. Positional groups did not differ (p ≤ 0.05) in somatotype characteristics either. The study suggests that at sub-elite level there are mainly differences between goalkeepers and outfield players, but outfield players are homogeneous when comparing morphological characteristics. These results may serve as normative values for future comparisons regarding the morphological characteristics of female football players.

Study Aim: This study examined the relationship between psychological coping skills and injury occurrence among sub-elite male soccer players, assessing differences between injured and non-injured players and across playing positions. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 223 sub-elite male soccer players from four South African universities. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, including demographic data, injury history, and the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28). Statistical analyses (t-tests and ANOVA) compared coping skills between injured and non-injured players and across positions. Results: No significant differences were found in total ACSI-28 scores between injured and non-injured players ( p = 0.917) or in individual subscales. However, positional differences emerged: midfielders had the highest scores in ”Confidence and Achievement Motivation” ( p = 0.038) and “Peaking Under Pressure” ( p = 0.003), while defenders had the lowest. Goalkeepers scored highest in ”Coachability,” likely due to their specialized training. Conclusions: Coping skills did not significantly differentiate injured from non-injured players, but positional differences highlight the need for tailored psychological training. Future research should explore interventions to enhance mental resilience and injury prevention in soccer.

The aim of this article was to examine if there are position-specific differences in the morphological characteristics of sub-elite female football players and to establish normative standards for this level of female football players. The morphological features of 101 sub-elite female football players (age: 21.8±2.7 years) were assessed. Twenty anthropometric sites were used in the measurements of body composition and somatotype. The average value of body fat percentage was 20.8±5.7%. The somatotype of the overall group was 4.0–2.4–2.1. Positional significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were found between goalkeepers and outfield players in morphological characteristics. Goalkeepers were taller, heavier, possessed the highest body fat percentage and showed higher values for all skinfolds, breadth, girth and length measurements. However, there were very few practically worthwhile differences between the outfield positions. Positional groups did not differ (p ≤ 0.05) in somatotype characteristics either. The study suggests that at sub-elite level there are mainly differences between goalkeepers and outfield players, but outfield players are homogeneous when comparing morphological characteristics. These results may serve as normative values for future comparisons regarding the morphological characteristics of female football players.