Effects Of Football Equipment On Average Momentum: Implications For High School Players.

Abstract

The concept of momentum is continuously demonstrated through collisions on the football field. A player's momentum is an essential component of routine responsibilities, such as tackling or blocking an opposing player during a game. Momentum is related to a player's mass and velocity. A traditional measure of assessing a player's velocity is done through administering the 40-yd dash without protective equipment. Previous research has shown the addition of protective equipment will cause an increase in a player's mass and a decrease in the player's velocity; however, this variable trade-off's effect on momentum has yet to be determined. PURPOSE:: To determine effects of football equipment on players' average momentum in the 40-yd dash. METHODS: Sixty-six high school football players (weight 78.28 ± 15.45 kg) were timed in the 40-yd dash, wearing either standard football equipment (EP) or nylon shorts and a T-shirt (NEP), on a natural grass field. An automatic timing system with high speed video camera (30 frames/sec), starter pistol, receiver, and timing software was utilized to collect 40-yd dash times. Participants performed two trials under each condition and the faster of the two trials for each condition were used for analysis. A calibrated balance scale was used to record participant weight, both with and without pads. A dependent samples T-test was utilized to assess significance between momentum with and without equipment at an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between NEP (499.51 ± 79.97 kg·m/s) and EP (512.43 ± 77.81 kg·m/s) conditions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Momentum of high school football players increased significantly with the addition of standard football equipment. Though there is a decrease in velocity with the added weight of equipment, the product of the reduced velocity and the increased weight is greater than the product of the increased velocity and reduced weight.. Examining differences in momentum (with and without equipment) can aid in the identification of players that fall below the norm. The players that carry extra weight inefficiently may require specific training to accommodate the increase in mass caused by protective equipment.