Physiological Profile of Filipino Sepak Takraw College Players

This study identified the physiological profile: speed, reaction time, lower extremity power, muscular endurance, and flexibility, of Filipino Sepak Takraw college players. A descriptive and comparative design were used in investigating the physiologic profiles among the three playing positions (striker, server, and feeder) in Sepak Takraw. A total of 30 male Filipino Sepak Takraw varsity players, aged 18 to 22 years old, with at least three intercollegiate tournament playing experience, and with three to five times physical training for Sepak Takraw weekly in a year, were chosen. The 40 meter running, time ruler, sargent vertical jump, one-minute sit-up, sit and reach flexibility test were used in evaluating the physiologic profiles identified. No significant differences among the three Sepak Takraw playing positions were found in terms of speed, muscular endurance, and flexibility. However, significant results were found when differentiating the strikers, feeders, and servers in terms of reaction time and lower extremity power. Strikers demonstrated to have faster reaction times and stronger lower extremity strength. The findings of the study provide crucial insights as to the physiological profile of Filipino Sepak Takraw players that could reinforce talent detection and identification, performance appraisal, and improvement metrics.

Keywords: Sepak Takraw; Speed; Physiological profile; Reaction time; Lower extremity power; Muscular endurance; Flexibility