Establishing a Reference Standard for Predicting Fundamental Skills Based on Physical Abilities as a Selection Indicator for National Women's Futsal Team Players

Abstract

The selection process, if not based on logical and scientific foundations, renders training efforts incapable of keeping pace with athletic development. It is well established that identifying and nurturing talented individuals in any sport represents a vital human resource that must be discovered, developed, and preserved. Therefore, scientific methods must be employed in the selection process to ensure the continuous growth of athletic training, rather than reaching a certain level and stagnating. This stagnation is often due to a mismatch between an individual’s abilities and the demands of the sport.

The significance of this study lies in the use of reference standards, performance levels, and predictive values to guide the selection of female futsal players. This was achieved by directly analyzing specific fundamental skills and physical abilities as logical predictors of performance outcomes, aiming to reach elite levels.

The researcher employed the descriptive methodology, deemed appropriate for addressing the research problem. The study was conducted on a purposive sample of 34 female futsal players, selected from various clubs. The key research variables were identified using a questionnaire, followed by a detailed explanation of the relevant tests for each variable. The study also included the most suitable statistical analyses, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

The results revealed the establishment of a reference standard through which players’ performance levels in fundamental skills could be evaluated. This standard serves as an objective guide for coaches, acting as a selection indicator. Furthermore, the study recommended the adoption of the scoring values derived by the researcher as internal benchmarks for evaluating each test and measurement related to technical and physical performance.