Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between anthropometric (height and weight) and physical parameters in Brazilian football athletes and to determine if the relationship between various anaerobic indices of running anaerobic sprint test (RAST) and physical performance are dependent upon position. The present study is an observational, randomized cross-sectional research, where thirty-eight players (24.7 ± 3.9 years) performed a series of tests that consisted of physical fitness (horizontal jump, abdominal curl, push up, 10, 20 and 30 m sprint speed), anthropometric and RAST assessments. The players were classified into three groups: skill players (n = 14), big skill players (n = 10), and linemen (n = 14). One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test presented no difference between groups for anthropometric, horizontal jump, push up, T agility, 10, 20, and 30 m sprint speed tests and all anaerobic indices computed (p > 0.05). However, higher abdominal curl performance was noted under skill player versus big skill player group (p = 0.045). In big skill players group, the relationship between 10, 20 and 30 m sprint speed and muscle power reduction index was great. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that only agility and sprint tests presented an association with the anaerobic performance for all group analyzed.
Highlights
Previous studies have reported that height, body weight, and body composition are different among American football players (Dupler, Amonette, Coleman, Hoffman, & Wenzel, 2010; Iguchi et al, 2016), and the different speed and movement demands required may be explained by the specific characteristics of each playing position (Robbins & Young, 2012; Raymundo et al, 2018)
No difference between groups was observed for the horizontal jump, push up, and T agility test (p > 0.05)
No difference was noticed between groups for anthropometric, horizontal jump, push up, T agility, 10, 20, and 30 m sprint speed tests and all anaerobic indices computed in Brazilian American football athletes
Summary
American football is a team sport that requires high levels of physical attributes such as strength, power, speed, and agility (Yeargin et al, 2017). This sport is characterized by positions which require sets of very different skills for great sport performance (Yamashita, Asakura, Ito, Yamada, & Yamada, 2016). In an American football game, each position has distinct performance demands. Previous studies have reported that height, body weight, and body composition are different among American football players (Dupler, Amonette, Coleman, Hoffman, & Wenzel, 2010; Iguchi et al, 2016), and the different speed and movement demands required may be explained by the specific characteristics of each playing position (Robbins & Young, 2012; Raymundo et al, 2018).
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