AUTHOR=Manning Ciara N. , Sekiguchi Yasuki , Benjamin Courteney L. , Spaulding McKenna R. , Dierickx Erin E. , Spaulding Jayson M. , Davenport Dayshia M. , Picard-Busky Jillian R. , Chiampas George T. , Nassis George P. , Casa Douglas J. 

TITLE=Deconstructing stereotypes: Stature, match-playing time, and performance in elite Women's World Cup soccer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.1067190

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2022.1067190

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<p>Recruiting companies recommend elite female soccer players be ≥165 cm (5′5″) in stature. This study investigated if stature limits match-playing time and performance in elite World Cup soccer among players, positions, and countries. We hypothesized stature would not affect match-playing time or performance. Descriptive data were collected on 552 players from 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Odds ratios determined likelihood of starting for players &lt;165 cm and ≥165 cm. ANOVAs compared playing time between stature groups, among positions, and between countries. Performance factors including assists, goals, attempts, corners, shots blocked, and defending blocks were reported. Independent t-tests compared differences between players (≥165 cm, &lt; 165 cm). Data are reported, mean difference [95% confidence interval] [MD (95%CI)] and effect sizes (ES). On average, 32.3% of players were &lt;165 cm. Of total players, no differences existed in total minutes (<italic>F = </italic>0.98, <italic>p</italic> = 0.32)<italic>,</italic> matches (<italic>F</italic> = 0.27 <italic>p </italic>= 0.59), or average minutes per match (<italic>F = </italic>0.48, <italic>p </italic>= 0.49) between stature groups, regardless of position. No differences existed in playing time between players &lt;165 cm and ≥165 cm among any positions (<italic>p</italic> &gt; 0.05), or between countries (<italic>p</italic> &gt; 0.05). Taller mid-fielders exhibited greater performance in goals, assists, attempts, shots blocked, and defending blocks (MD [95%CI] ES; assists, −0.44[−0.76,−0.11]0.59, <italic>p</italic> = 0.009; goals, −0.35[−0.69,−0.01]0.44, <italic>p</italic> = 0.047); attempts, 3.14[1.38, 4.90]0.80, <italic>p</italic> = 0.001; corners, 2.04[0.12, 3.95]0.48, <italic>p</italic> = 0.037; shots blocked, 0.96[0.40, 1.51]0.75, <italic>p</italic> = 0.001; defending blocks, 0.43[0.32,0.82]0.48, <italic>p</italic> = 0.035), however, actual differences were minimal. Our findings indicate stature does not inhibit playing and performing elite women's soccer, as nearly one-third of players were &lt;165 cm.</p>