Abstract
This study aimed to describe the physical demands of American football players using novel performance analysis techniques. Heart rate (HR) and accelerometer-based activity levels were observed across two pre-season scrimmages in 23 Division I collegiate football players (age: 19 ± 1 y, height: 1.90 ± 0.06 m, weight: 116.2 ± 19.4 kg). Data were analyzed using a MATLAB program and inter-rater reproducibility assessed using inter-class correlations (ICC). Players were analyzed by side (offense/defense) and position (skill/non-skill). Performance variables assessed in bursts of activity included burst duration, HRmean and HRmax (bpm), and mean activity (vector magnitude units [vmu]). Exercise intensity was categorized as time spent in % HRmax in 5% increments. The burst duration (8.1±3.9 min, ICC = 0.72), HRmean (157 ± 12 bpm, ICC = 0.96) and mean activity (0.30 ± 0.05 vmu, ICC = 0.86) were reproducible. HRmean (p = 0.05) and HRmax (p = 0.001) were greater on defense. Offense spent more time at 65–70% HRmax (p = 0.01), 70–75% HRmax (p = 0.02) while defense spent more time 90–95% HRmax and ≥95% HRmax (p = 0.03). HRmean (p = 0.70) and HRpeak (p = 0.80) were not different between positions across both sides. Skilled players demonstrated greater mean activity (p = 0.02). The sport-specific analysis described HR and activity level in a reproducible manner. Automated methods of assessing HR may be useful in training and game time performance but ultimately provides support to coaching decision making.
Highlights
IntroductionAmerican football is a field-based team sport characterized by intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise
Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football players are challenged across pre-season training, a 12-game regular season, and post-season
The present study examined Heart rate (HR) and activity in NCAA Division I collegiate football players scrimmage in in a hot, humid environment novel
Summary
American football is a field-based team sport characterized by intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise. Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football players are challenged across pre-season training, a 12-game regular season, and post-season. The individual physical demands of the sport may be altered by a player’s physical and fitness characteristics, position, side of ball (offense vs defense), or time of season. Regardless, players experience high workloads during training and competition that, combined with other external factors such as the environment, subject players to decreased performance and potential injury [1,2]. An understanding of position-specific physiological demands may provide insight into optimal training and performance, as well as enhance communication between practitioners interpreting these demands to coaches to reduce injury risk
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