Positive change in self-concept as a function of improved performance in sports.

This study investigated the relationship between improvement in Total Positive Self-concept scores and increase in sports skills before and after training of 10 weeks for 45 minutes daily by 12- to 14-yr.-old junior high school and 16- to 18-yr.-old senior high school boys and girls. The 288 subjects were selected using a stratified (intact class) random technique. Subjects were randomly assigned to different sports, 96 to field-hockey and 96 to athletics (32 to discuss, 32 to long jump, and 32 to sprints). 96 control subjects were randomly selected from one class of each age bracket. Analysis of covariance showed that the trained subjects scored significantly higher in total positive self. A positive correlation between gain in sports skill and increase in self-concept scores was noted for both boys and girls within each age group. Age and sex had no effect on this pattern. The result supports inclusion of success-oriented sports in the high school curriculum.

Minimizing injury rates in soccer through preselection of players by somatotypes.

Incidence and types of injuries were investigated among 180 Nigerian soccer players selected from 6 clubs by a stratified random technique on the basis of somatotypes. The purpose was to identify physique types that are most prone to common injuries in soccer, in the groups during an 8-week duration of intensive training. A total of 552 injuries: sprains and strains (45%), bruises and cuts (30%), dislocations (15%), fractures (5%) and concussion (5%) were recorded sustained by players who participated in the 8-week period of vigorous daily training. The study found that 45% of the meso-ectomorphs (n = 65) and 44% of the mesomorphs (n = 50) sustained injuries while 85% of the ectomorphs (n = 25) and 50% of the ectomesomorphs (n = 40) were injured. The study concluded that soccer players whose somatotypes range between meso-ectomorphic to the mesomorphic builds are less prone to injuries than their more fragile linear counterparts. It recommended that soccer players should be preselected on the basis of somatotypes and in most cases, mesomorphic and meso-ectomorphic types should be finally considered. It proposed that match referees should endeavour to enforce the soccer rules and eschew prejudice to prevent frustration-aggression reactions which are good causes of injuries to players.

Comparison of Nigerian high school male athletes and nonathletes on self-concept.

Nigerian high school athletes (112 high and 90 low in performance) and 108 nonathletes were administered the Tennessee Self-concept Scale. Athletes scored significantly higher on all self-concept subscales except behavior, moral-ethical and family. Better athletes scored significantly higher on all aspects of self-concept: social, moral-ethical, family and behavior, as is consistent with findings from the USA and other countries.

Somatotype characteristics of male sprinters, basketball, soccer, and field hockey players.

In an effort to describe the physique associated with regular involvement in sports activity, the somatotypes of a group of 51 elite male athletes comprising sprinters (n = 10), basketball (n = 12), soccer (n = 15), and field hockey (n = 14) players, and 11 male nonathletes were studied. The subjects' physiques were assessed using the Health-Carter anthropometric somatotype method. Analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls post hoc method were used to test for significant differences among the mean somatotype ratings of the groups. The findings indicated that the nonathletes (3.5) were significantly more endomorphic (P less than 0.05) than the soccer players (2.5) and sprinters (2.4). The sprinters (3.6) and basketball players (3.7) had markedly higher ectomorphic ratings (P less than 0.05) as compared with the hockey players (2.0). The mesomorphic component did not differentiate the groups. The differences observed among the groups which could be attributed to genetic and environmental influences reflect the variability in the morphological characteristics of athletes and nonathletes.

Perceived somatotype and stereotypes of physique among Nigerian schoolchildren.

The influence of perceived somatotype on stereotypes of behavior associated with body build was investigated among 160 male and 140 female Nigerian children in secondary school. In both groups, the perception of subjects' own physiques and discrepancy between their perceived and preferred physiques significantly explained the variance in the character trait scores attributed to body types. In general, the subjects attributed positive character traits to their perceived somatotypes and undesirable traits to the physiques with which they were dissatisfied. Thus, the perception of somatotype and discrepancy between perceived and preferred physique could significantly differentiate the character traits attributed to body build among male and female children.