Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to determine the correlations between anthropometric and power-related factors, make differences in power-related factors according to the anthropometric features, and determine the norm values of some motor abilities in Kosovo First League goalkeepers. The research was conducted on a sample of 15 volunteer goalkeepers, aged 21 years ± 6 months old, who were active goalkeepers in the teams in the Kosovo First League. To measure the performance of the goalkeepers in the study, anthropometric parameters (length, weight, body mass index), acceleration (10 meters run), coordination (side steep), agility/maneuverability (Ilion’s Agility Test), reaction time (Nelson Hand Reaction Test, Plate Tapping Test), and success of the goalkeepers (conceded goals per season, success score evaluated by the coach) in the last Kosovo First League. To process the results of the study, analysis of the data was done with the IBM SPSS Statistics 24 software. The statistics obtained were provided by descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlations and percentiles. The goalkeepers playing in Kosovo’s First Football League showed significant correlations between length, plate tapping, Nelson hand reaction, and goals and goalkeeper performance in the last season (p<0.05). Also, it was determined that taller goalkeepers’ motor abilities were higher, and they were more successful according to the conceded goals per season and in the evaluation of the coaches compared to the shorter goalkeepers. The results of each test were given as the norm values for the Kosovo First Leagues’ goalkeepers together with 20% groups. The ages of the goalkeepers in Kosovo First Leagues (average 20-22) were lower compared to the ages (average 26-28) of the goalkeepers of the major European leagues over the last decade. In the correlation analyses, it was determined that goalkeepers’ performances were related to the length and reaction time.

Keywords: