Abstract:
The purpose of this investigation is to assess performance related physical fitness of national league football players regarding to their playing position. National league football clubs competition is one of the most widely organized popular football contests across the country next to Ethiopian premier league match, which is governed by Ethiopian football federation. 7(seven) national league club players and coaches from south western regional division of the league was the population of the study. To conduct this research 3(three) clubs was selected purposively from 7(seven) clubs based on their date of establishment and previous achievement. Based on their playing position, 9 goal keepers, 24 defensives, 24 mid fielders and 18 forwards total of 75 players and 3(three) coaches was directly involved in the study. The main instrument of data collection was 30 meter sprint test, vertical jump power test, Illinois agility test and structured interview. Collected fitness test scores through predetermined fitness tests and structured interview was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, median, standard deviation and analysis of variance was carried out to identify the significance mean difference. The result of the study reviled that, there was statistically significance mean difference between playing position in sprint speed test, vertical jump test and Illinois agility test, p < 0.05.Goal keepers appeared low scorer in speed and agility test. Lack of motivation and absence of measuring instruments was the main problems that hinder fitness assessment in national league football clubs. Coaches should consider positional role of players and demands during training programs
