Gender disparities in long passing performance among senior football players: implications for inclusive training strategies

Background: Football, as the most popular sport globally, encompasses fundamental skills like the lofted pass, a cornerstone technique mastered early in player development. Purpose study: This study aimed to analyze long passing performance disparities between senior male and female football players. Method and material: A total of 74 football players, comprising 35 boys and 39 girls (ages 15-18 years), were randomly selected as subjects. Personal information including academic details, age, Body height (cm), Body weight (kg), BMI (kg/m²), training age, and level played, alongside football performance metrics such as: Ball speed (km), Kicked ball distance (m) and Approach run distance (m), were recorded. Data collection involved the use of a Bushnell Radar gun for speed tests and long pass (Model 101911, USA), a digital weighing scale for body weight (BEURER Typ 35, Germany), Stadiometer for body height measurement (SECA 206, Germany) and a measuring tape for distance measurements. Statistical analysis: The data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Mean, SD, and the Mann-Whitney U Test for independent samples (p