Introduction: Football requires ability within a vast range of physical parameters with many being identified as crucial to success within the sport. The study investigated whether there is a difference between the degree of physical capabilities held by players competing within different levels of women’s football. Participants: 24 female footballers (age = 23±8.6) participated within the study. Participants were sourced from two different levels of competition, University of Lincoln women’s BUCS team (n=12) competing at university level and Stalham Town ladies (n=12) competing at a grass roots level. Data collection and analysis: Data was collected through four fitness tests, 15m sprint, 15m dribble with ball, modified Illinois agility test and countermovement jump. An independent T-Test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference in the results for each test between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference (p<.05) between the two groups for the 15m sprint, 15m dribble or the modified Illinois agility test test variables, however a significant difference (p=.047) was shown in the countermovement test variable. Conclusion: The study finds that although a significant difference was found within muscular strength between the two groups, it is likely that the players from both standard of competition possess similar physical attributes. These findings may have multiple theoretical causes with the key cause being thought to be non-distinct difference in competitive level and potential cross over between the level of the two groups. It would be recommended that further studies take place using a larger sample sizes and compare groups with a greater or more defined difference in competitive standard, in order to further the research in and around women’s football.
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