PHYSIOLOGY OF SOCCER IN INDIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. A common aspect of this sport is the necessity of teamwork to complement individual skills. In order to adapt to technical evolution within the game, players have to meet the physical demands required. Soccer talent may be identified among the children at their early childhood. Furthermore, growth and development phase of life has impact on training. Anthropometric, physical and physiological variables contribute to selection procedures. Besides, success is based on the synthesis of anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities as well as optimal technique. To achieve the best possible performance, training has to be formulated according to the principles of periodization. Long term training and participating in competitions brought the changes within the soccer players, which can be monitored through various anthropometric, physical and physiological variables. This would enable the coaches to assess the current status of the soccer players and the degree of training adaptability and provide an opportunity to modify the training schedule accordingly to achieve the desired performance. However, the present status of the Indian
soccer team is not satisfactory at international level. Therefore, extensive research work is needed in this arena to improve the status of the Indian Soccer team.