Youth Soccer League Measures of Fitness: Pilot Study Comparing Local League Fitness
Measures with CDC-Derived National Averages
Ruben Perez
Mentor: Michael Montoya
The Fullerton Community Youth Soccer League (FCYSL) in the city of Fullerton is a community led
program that began in 2006. Through community efforts, this league was launched in response to
low physical activity levels and high rates of obesity among adolescents in this community. This study
is an observational feasibility study designed to gather pilot data on the fitness levels of a difficult to
reach, poor, Latino urban youth population, (Approx 95% qualify for USDA free or reduced lunch
program). To investigate the physiological impact of the FCYSL would require a hypothesis driven
research design with specified effect size of youth soccer participation, a control group, a dose effect
measured in length of participation, variance estimates, sample size determination based upon
geographic catchment of the league, and numerous other factors. While it is hoped that the 50–70
participants (identified as the “comparison group”) can be age and gender matched to Centers for
Disease and Control (CDC) data sets, we do not think that definitive conclusions can be drawn from
this baseline data gathering effort. Because the FCYSL is a grassroots, wholly voluntary, inner city,
self help soccer league, we anticipate that these preliminary measures can be used by our community
partners and advocates to argue for expanded youth fitness activities for this extremely challenged
neighborhood.