LATENT STRUCTURE OF THE GJILAN REGION CADET FOOTBALL PLAYERS’ BASIC MOTOR ABILITIES

Abstract

The research was conducted on the sample of 160 young footballers in the cadet age of 14 to 16 years old from two schools, who are included in the training of the football schools K.F. “Gjilani 1”, K .F. “Gjilani 2”, K .F “Drita 1” and K .F “Drita 2”. The goal of the research was to determine the latent structure of the cadet age footballers in relation to basic motor abilities with 24 variables. Young footballers play in the competition of the Gjilan regional league. This shows that the players from two selections, from both clubs, are included in the research, which shows the big popularity of football in this part of Kosovo which is included in the systematic training in their football schools. The data were analysed using the SPSS package, version 19. Based on the results in relation to basic motor abilities, by applying the factor analysis according to Guttman - Kaiser rotation, eight latent dimensions have been extracted, named as follows: 1. Lower extremity explosive strength factor, 2. Flexibility factor, 3. Lower extremity repetitive strength factor, 4. Flexibility factor of repetitive strength and explosiveness factor, 5. Flexibility and frequency of hand movements factor and 6. Flexibility and frequency of leg movements factor, 7. Balance factor and, 8. Ball balancing factor