Comparison of emotional intelligence levels of soccer players according to age and playing position

Yusuf Soylu

Comparison of emotional intelligence levels of soccer players according to age and playing position

Číslo: 1/2021
Periodikum: Acta Gymnica
DOI: 10.5507/ag.2021.008

Klíčová slova: emotional intelligence, soccer, playing position, psychological responses.

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Anotace: Background: Several studies have compared the physical, physiological and anthropometric characteristics according to age and playing position in soccer. However, no studies have researched the comparison of emotional intelligence (EI) levels of soccer players.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the EI levels of soccer players in their age and playing position.

Methods: A total of 550 male soccer players were divided into four groups according to their age: under-17 (n = 135), under-19 (n = 131), under-21 (n = 144) and 22+ (n = 140) and playing position: goalkeeper (n = 101), defender (n = 159), midfielder (n = 148) and forward (n = 142). EI levels of soccer were evaluated through the Emotional Intelligence Inventory in Sport.

Results: Players in the lowest age category showed significantly (p < .001) higher EI level. Moreover, midfielders have also significantly (p = .039) higher EI level than other players.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the level of EI varies according to players' age and playing position. These findings might be used for the evaluation of psychological and physiological responses required for soccer-specific performance.