Body Proportions of Football Players and the Untrained Population, and the Impact on the fit of the Trousers

Abstract

The aim of this research was to identify the differences in body proportions between football players and the untrained population, and their influence on trouser fit. By identifying the differences in body measurements, and comparing the empirical and constructional values of body measurements required for the construction of men’s trousers, an attempt was made to prove the need for a change in the existing cut of trousers. A total of 324 men aged 15 to 26 years participated in the research. The survey involved 162 football players with an average playing experience of 10.7 years and 162 untrained subjects from the general population. A total of 19 variables were analysed relating to the study of the fit of men’s trousers. The SPSS software package was used for statistical data processing. The results showed that the football players were slightly but not significantly, taller, that their chest girth was almost the same as untrained subjects, and that their hip girth was slightly smaller. The greatest and most significant statistical difference was in the mid-thigh girth, which is greater in football players, and the waist girth, which is smaller in football players. Due to the identified value of a statistically significant increase of the mean thigh girth in football players, the modelling of trousers in this area was performed. The performed modelling of men’s trousers met the criterion of garment fit, and opens the possibility of cooperation with industry in terms of improving the making of cuts for the surveyed sport population.