A Comparative Analysis of High School Soccer Players and Baseball Players on Physical Fitness, Isokinetic Strength and Anaerobic Power

The purpose of this study was to compare high school soccer players and baseball players on physical fitness, isokinetic strength, and anaerobic power. The subjects of this study were 31 football players and 31 baseball players which are elite high school athletes. To investigate the differences, body composition, grip strength, back strength, sit up, standing long jump, Sargent jump, side step, reaction time, Response time involving whole body movement, sit and reach, back bending, knee’s isokinetic strength, and anaerobic power. Significant differences between the two groups were determined with independent T-test. To summarize the results of this study, soccer players had lower body weight and body fat percentage than baseball players, and faster reaction times. Baseball players had higher posterior flexion and isokinetic flexor/extensor ratios of the right leg than soccer players. In addition, baseball players had higher grip strength, back strength, peak power, average power, and isokinetic muscle strength of the left and right flexors than soccer players, but there was no statistically significant difference in the relative values divided by body weight. In summary, soccer players have the advantage of having less body weight and lower body fat percentage compared to baseball players, and require quick reaction times.<br/>Baseball players appear to require higher strength, power, and isokinetic strength based on their higher body weight compared to soccer players.