The Relationship Between Speed And Agility Of Professional Arena League Football Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between speed and agility of professional arena league football players. Speed was determined by 40 yard dash times and agility by 20 yard shuttle times. One hundred and twenty three male subjects, ranging in age from 20 to 31 years, participated in this study. All subjects had a minimum of two years professional football playing experience in an Arena Football League or higher level of competition. All subjects were tested for speed by the 40 yard dash and agility the by the 20 yard shuttle. Additional data collection included height (HT) and weight (WT). All tests were performed in one testing session in an indoor facility on artificial turf. Each test was administered by two timers with hand held stop watches. The best of two trials were recorded to the nearest hundredth second. Subjects were divided into four groups based on playing position: quarterbacks (n = 8, HT = 73.2 ± 1.9 in., WT = 222.25 ± 12.8 lbs.), fullbacks and linebackers (n = 17, HT = 72.2 ± 1.8 in., WT = 252 ± 26.8 lbs.), offensive and defensive linemen (n = 34, HT = 74.9 ± 1.15 in., WT = 311.6 ± 28.5 lbs.), and wide receivers and defensive backs (n = 64, HT = 71 ± 2.2 in., WT = 191.7 ± 15.8 lbs.). Speed times (S) by playing position were as follows: quarterbacks (S = 4.90 ± .10), fullbacks and linebackers (S = 5.54 ± .06), linemen (S = 5.92 ± .32), wide receivers and defensive backs (S = 4.67 ± .20). Agility times (A) by playing position were as follows: quarterbacks (A = 4.52 ± .15), fullbacks and linebackers (A = 4.64 ± .26), linemen (A = 5.04 ± .34), wide receivers and defensive backs (A = 4.4 ± .21). Data analysis was performed on the raw data by utilizing Pearson's r correlation coefficients to determine the relationship between speed and agility among their respective positions. Statistical analyses (p < .05) indicated significant relationships between speed and agility for all positions: quarterbacks (r = .66), fullbacks and linebackers (r = .48), offensive and defensive linemen (r = .60), and wide receivers and defensive backs (r = .48). The results of this study indicate a significant relationship between speed and agility of professional arena league football players. Since a causal relationship cannot be assumed for speed and agility, it is suggested that coaches, players, and trainers include drills specifically designed to improve speed as well as drills that enhance agility.