Relationship Between Dominant Hand and Foot Use and Body Composition in Children Playing Soccer

In our research, the relationship between the body composition and the dominantly used hands and feet of children between the ages of 7 and 14 and playing football in Turkey was investigated. The participants of our study consist of 6572 boys playing football between the ages of 7 and 14. Body composition measurements were made with the bioimpedance method, and the measurements were carried out in 71 centers in 23 cities. In our measurements, the effect of children’s dominant hand and foot use on body composition was compared and norms were formed. As measurement parameters, a total of eight parameters: height, body weight, body mass index, basal metabolic rate, fat percentage, fat amount, lean mass, and body fluid were examined. In the statistical analysis of the study, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21.0 package program was used, and within-group mean and standard deviation values were examined. Independent t-test was used in comparison of dominant hand and foot, and significance was investigated at .05 and .01 levels. In the study findings, it was observed that the fat amount and body fat percentage parameters for dominant foot use were higher in right leg users (p < .01), and BMI parameter was higher in right leg users (p < .05). When body composition values were examined according to dominant hand use, it was seen that the amount of fat parameter was higher in right-handed users (p < .05). There is no difference in other parameters. As a result, it can be said that the body compositions of football players’ children are different according to dominant hand and foot use.

Cite this article as: Sarıkaya, F., & Şahin M. (2022). Relationship Between Dominant Hand and Foot Use and Body Composition in Children Playing Soccer. Research in Sports Science., 12(1), 7-11.