Elite Football Players Research Articles

Fitness Profiling in Women Soccer: Performance Characteristics of Elite Turkish Women Soccer Players

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate an overall performance of the elite women football players. In accordance with this purpose, 11 women football players (age: 21,5 ± 2,58 years; height: 160,8 ± 5,17 cm; weight: 55,8 ± 7,23 kg) who plays in Turkish Women’s 1 st Football League participated voluntarily. In order to measure athlete’s aerobic capacity, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR1) was applied and maximal oxygen uptake ( VO 2max ) values were estimated by using running distances obtained from the test results. The Wingate anaerobic power test (WanT) to measure the athlete's anaerobic properties, the vertical jump (VJ) and standing long jump (SLJ) tests to determine explosive power, the Illinois agility test to measure agility skills, 10 and 30 meters sprint runs to measure sprint performances, hand grip and back-leg strength tests to measure strength characteristics were used. In order to obtain power and velocity parameters, loaded-squat jump (SJ Loaded ) was applied with an resistance that equaled to 40% of body weight and bench throw (BT) was applied with an resistance that equaled to 30% of body weight of the participants by applying an isoinertial device and results of peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV), mean propulsive power (MPP), and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) during both movements were recorded. Statistical analysis was used in the assessment of the data. According to analysis results, it was achieved that Yo-Yo IR1 running distances was as 676,3 ± 156,4 meters, while VO 2max values of athletes were estimated as 42,2 ± 1,20 ml/kg -1 /min -1 . Relative and absolute anaerobic power values for elite women football players were obtained as 439,7 (± 61,18 W) and 8,04 (± 1,09 W/kg) for maximal anaerobic power, 316,1 (± 34,46 W) and 5,78 (± 0,56 W/kg) for maximal anaerobic capacity, 193,6 (±22,30 W) and 3,55 (± 0,61 W/kg) for minimal anaerobic power, respectively. In addition, fatigue index values measured as 55,7 (± 3,75 %). Participant’s right and left hand grip strength values were obtained as 30,6 (± 4,62 kg) and 29,6 (± 4,5 kg), back and leg strength values measured as 90,2 (± 18,7 kg) and 101,8 (± 29,5 kg), respectively. Participant’s 10 and 30 meters sprint duration were obtained as 1,85 (± 0,12 sec) and 4,96 (± 0,34 sec). SLJ, VJ and agility values were obtained as 178,4 (± 21,1 cm), 35,7 (± 4,60 cm) and 17,6 (±0,67 sec), respectively. Velocity and power values for athletes during BT movement were obtained as 1,21 (± 0,10 m/sec) for MPV, 2,04 (± 0,18 m/sec) for PV, 353,6 (± 83,2 W) for MPP and 666,3 (± 152,1 W) for PP. In response to this, velocity and power values for athletes during SJ Loaded movement were obtained as 1,21 (±,10 m/sec) for MPV, 2,04 (± ,18 m/sec) for PV, 353,6 (± 83,2 W) for MPP and 666,3 (± 152,1 W) for PP. As a result, although there are many studies on physical or physiological characteristics of elite male footballers, the literature on the overall performance characteristics of women football players are limited. It is thought that the results obtained are important to fill this lack in the literature and will be the reference source for future research.

Concussion History and Career Status Influence Performance on Baseline Assessments in Elite Football Players.

To determine if concussion history and career status is associated with neurocognitive performance in elite football players. The study design was a cross-sectional single assessment. Fifty-seven elite football players (age 29.39 ± 7.49 years) categorized as draft prospects, active professional players, and retired professional players were assessed on the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool - third edition (SCAT-3), in an outpatient therapy setting. Common symptoms were the following: fatigue (45.6%), trouble falling asleep (35.1%), difficulty remembering (33.3%) and irritability (22.8%); 36.8% reported no symptoms. The low concussion (0-1) group reported fewer symptoms (U = 608.50, p < .001), less symptom severity (U = 598.00, p = -.001), and produced greater scores on the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) total scores compared to the multiple concussion (2+) group (U = 253.00, p = .024), but no differences were observed on modified Balance Error Scoring System (m-BESS) scores (U = 501.50, p = .066) on the Mann-Whitney U test. The Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc analysis indicated retired players were significantly different from draft prospects and current professional players for total symptom scores (p < .001), total symptom severity (p < .001), SAC total scores (p = .030), and m-BESS (p < .001). Concussion history and career status appear associated with total symptoms, symptom severity, performance on the SAC, and the m-BESS in elite football players. With this in mind, future research is recommended to determine longitudinal impact for elite football players.

Network-based centrality measures and physical demands in football regarding player position: Is there a connection? A preliminary study

ABSTRACTThis study’s main objective is to analyse the relationship between network-based centrality measures and physical demands in elite football players. Thirty-six matches from La Liga, the Spanish league, were analysed in the 2017/18 season. The analysis of networks formed by team players passing the ball included: degree-prestige (DP), degree-centrality (DC), betweenness-centrality (BC), page-rank (PRP) and closeness-centrality (IRCC). A video-based system was used for analysing total distance (TDpos) and distance run >21Km/h (TD21pos) when the team was in possession of the ball. A magnitude-based inference and correlation analysis were applied. There were different styles of play, team-A was characterized by greater ball circulation (e.g. higher values of DP, DC, BC and IRCC) while team-B used a more direct game (lower values in centrality-metrics except with PRP). Furthermore, TDpos was higher in team-A than in team-B, but those differences disappeared for TD21pos between teams with the exception of the forwards. Finally, the correlation among centrality measures and physical performance were higher in team-B. Coaches could identify the key opponents and players who are linked to them, allowing to adjust performance strategies. Furthermore, interaction patterns between teammates can be used to identify preferential paths of cooperation and to take decisions regarding these relations in order to optimize team performance.

Adductor squeeze test and groin injuries in elite football players: A prospective study

ObjectiveTo examining the relationship between hip adductor strength and groin injury incidence during the competitive season of professional football teams. DesignProspective Cohort study. SettingControlled laboratory environment. ParticipantsSeventy-one players volunteered to participate. Main outcome measuresIn the pre-season, maximal hip adductor strength was measured by means of the isometric adductor squeeze test. Hip adductor strength, normalized by body mass, was compared between players who suffered a groin injury (n = 18) vs uninjured players (n = 53). Risk ratios (RR) were used to evaluate the likelihood of players to suffer this type of injury. ResultsMost of the reported groin injuries occurred during competitive matches (5.5 per 1000 match hours). Maximal isometric hip adductor strength was lower in the groin-injured group compared with their uninjured counterparts (429.8 ± 100 vs 564 ± 58.7 N, d = −1.58 and 5.40 ± 1.27 vs 7.71 ± 0.89 N/kg, d = −1.88, respectively). Results revealed that values of maximal isometric adductor strength lower than 465.33 N increased the probability to suffer a groin injury by 72%. Furthermore, values of force relative to body mass lower than 6.971 N/kg increased the probability to suffer a groin injury by 83%. ConclusionThe assessment of Hip adductor strength, in addition to other measurements, might help practitioners to determine the probability of suffering an overuse groin injuries in elite football players.

Performance Differences between National Football League and High School American Football Combine Participants

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine magnitudes of differences for anthropometric and athletic performance scores between high school and elite college-level American football players. Method: Participants included high school-age (n = 3,666) athletes who participated in American football combines, as well as elite college-level (n = 5,537) athletes who participated in the National Football League (NFL) scouting combine. Combine data included position; height; weight; 10-, 20-, and 40-yard dash; pro-agility (PA); L-cone drill (LC); vertical jump (VJ); and broad jump (BJ). Athletes were separated into their respective position group, defensive back (DB), wide receiver (WR), linebacker (LB), quarterback (QB), running back (RB), tight end (TE), defensive line (DL), and offensive line (OL) for analysis of performance differences. Percent differences for each dependent variable were calculated to quantify magnitudes of differences. Results: NFL combine participants scored 3% to 25% better on all measurements, with the largest differences between weight and VJ (14%–25%). Conclusion: The largest measurement-specific differences between high school-age and elite college-level American football players were body size and power. Although it may seem intuitive that elite college-level players would perform better, these data provide a unique perspective to high school players, parents, and coaches, giving new information to use when designing measurement-specific athletic development programs. Thus, strength and conditioning professionals may benefit from emphasizing increases in muscle mass and power output in strength and conditioning programs.

Echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital coronary artery abnormalities in a continuous series of adolescent football players.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children and adolescents is rare. Several studies have reported a higher risk of SCD during athletic competition. High risk congenital coronary artery abnormalities are the second leading cause of SCD in young athletes in the USA. Echocardiographic assessment of coronary arteries has not been routinely used in screening programmes for junior athletes so far. Prospective cohort study in 1045 consecutive adolescent elite football players. All athletes underwent a standardized cardiovascular screening protocol with a medical history, a physical examination, 12-lead resting electrocardiogram and a complete transthoracic 2D-echocardiography. Two athletes (0.19%) showed a high-risk coronary artery abnormality (CAA) with a right coronary artery originating abnormal from the aorta and coursing inter-arterial. Low-risk CAAs were found in 16 athletes (1.53%). There was an ectasia of the left coronary artery (+3.9z and +4.3z) and a fistula from the left coronary artery in two cases (0.19%), respectively. In 1.05% ( n = 11) we found a high take-off (2.3-6.8 mm) and in one case (0.096%) there was a tangential take-off of the right main coronary artery. Variants of coronary arterial anatomy were identified in 335 of 1045 athletes (32.06%). Basic pre-participation screening tests including 12-lead or exercise electrocardiogram do not safely identify high-risk CAAs. In adolescent athletes an expert cardiologist is able to describe the origin and the proximal course of the coronary arteries and identify major abnormalities in most of the cases by transthoracic 2D-echocardiography.

The value of tibial mounted inertial measurement units to quantify running kinetics in elite football (soccer) players. A reliability and agreement study using a research orientated and a clinically orientated system

In elite football, measurement of running kinetics with inertial measurement units (IMUs) may be useful as a component of periodic health examination (PHE). This study determined the reliability of, and agreement between a research orientated IMU and clinically orientated IMU system for initial peak acceleration (IPA) and IPA symmetry index (SI) measurement during running in elite footballers. On consecutive days, 16 participants performed treadmill running at 14kmph and 18kmph. Both IMUs measured IPA and IPA SI concurrently. All measurements had good or excellent within-session reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) range = 0.79–0.96, IPA standard error of measurement (SEM) range = 0.19–0.62 g, IPA SI SEM range = 2.50–8.05%). Only the research orientated IMU demonstrated acceptable minimal detectable changes (MDCs) for IPA at 14kmph (range = 7.46–9.80%) and IPA SI at both speeds (range = 6.92–9.21%). Considering both systems, between-session IPA reliability ranged from fair to good (ICC2,1 range = 0.63–0.87, SEM range = 0.51–1.10 g) and poor to fair for IPA SI (ICC2,1 range = 0.32–0.65, SEM range = 8.07–11.18%). All MDCs were >10%. For IPA and SI, the 95% levels of agreement indicated poor between system agreement. Therefore, the use of IMUs to evaluate treadmill running kinetics cannot be recommended in this population as a PHE test to identify prognostic factors for injuries or for rehabilitation purposes.

Static and dynamic visual acuity and refractive errors in elite football players

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate static and dynamic visual acuity, refractive error, and the use of visual compensation of elite football players.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2017, 147 professional players from five teams were analysed. Screening consisted of a survey about the use of visual correction, and measurement refractive error, static visual acuity and dynamic visual acuity. Refractive error was assessed using an autorefractor. Distance static visual acuity was evaluated using a Snellen chart. Dynamic visual acuity was measured at five metres using the software COI‐SV. All athletes were male with a mean age of 24.6 ± 4.1 years.ResultsThe mean refractive error of the athletes was −0.04 ± 0.83 D, and 16.4 per cent were myopic. Statistically significant differences were found for dynamic visual acuity (p = 0.033), based on the position occupied. Goalkeepers displayed the best dynamic visual acuity and forwards had the lowest values (0.82 ± 0.14 and 0.62 ± 0.17, respectively). The forwards presented with the highest prevalence of myopia and goalkeepers the lowest, at 22.5 per cent and 12.5 per cent, respectively. All goalkeepers who needed to use a correction for play used it, whereas only 16 per cent of the forwards who needed a correction used it.ConclusionDynamic visual acuity of forwards is lower than that of other players. Twenty‐five per cent of players who need to use visual correction to practice sports actually use it.

The Free Kick Kinematics of Elite Football Players

We have considered the kinematics parameters for the free instep kick of the elite footballer (Cristiano Ronaldo), in the pace of the swing leg movement and the supporting leg with linear velocity measurement, angular displacement and angular velocity of the joints (ankle, knee, hip). We used the cinematographically method through Kinovea-0.8.26-win32. exe and Photo Suite 4 Platinum Editor from MGI Software of filming of a free instep kick (10. LaLiga, vs. Villarreal, 21/02/2010), and where as the caliber size we have taken the diameter of the ball, creating its kinograms in stages of movement. We have especially analyzed the Approach phase which Cristiano Ronaldo traverses at a distance of 4.0 m, which is passed in 3 steps (1.14 m; 1.72 m; 2.75 m). Angle of approach is 40 degrees, the free-kick distance is 30 m. During the contact of foot/ball, knee angle of the swing leg is 132 degrees (support leg 153 deg), while the ball is hit by a linear velocity of ankle joint 17.5 m/s, giving the ball a speed of 13.7 m/s. Result of this research is the way of execution the second step of approach phase which Cristiano Ronaldo is performing with the placement of the right foot in the ground only with the tip of the fingers and not with the whole foot, passing quickly backs winging phase, and phase of hip flexion and knee extension during downward motion.

A retrospective analysis of retirement of football players in Portugal

The purpose of this study was to analyse the retirement of elite football players in Portugal. Specifically, the quality of retirement and the resources available were evaluated. To develop an understanding of the process of the sporting retirement of elite football players we used data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ninety professional players from the portuguese football national team. Most of the elite Portuguese footballers we investigated retired from sport between 36 and 40 years of age, their retirement had been involuntary and it had taken them less than a year to accept retirement. Most had only been educated to secondary level and had a strong athletic identity, no plans for their post-football career exist and relied on family as their main psychological support. None of the players had received support from a formal programme. Despite of the findings being consistent with previous research from other Southern European cultures, it seems that the athletic retirement of portuguese footballers has some particularities. Most portuguese footballers retired later and had longer playing careers than athletes in other countries. In addition, retirement was involuntary in most of cases, yet players reported that it took them a relatively short time to accept retirement.

Concussion history and career status influence sports concussion assessment tool (SCAT-3) performance in elite football players

ObjectiveTo determine if concussion history and career status influences baseline Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-3) performance in elite football players.Design/methodsFifty-seven elite football players (age 29.39 ± 7.49 years) categorized by career status (draft prospects, active professional players and retired professional players) underwent SCAT-3 assessments. The SCAT-3 was administered in accordance to published recommendations.14 To examine our primary purpose, participants were placed into either a low concussion history (0–1 concussions) or multiple concussion history (2 + concussions) group. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the differences of concussion history on SCAT-3 total symptoms, total symptom severity, SAC total scores, and m-BESS balance scores. To examine our secondary purpose, a Kruskal-Wallis test and a post-hoc analysis was used to analyze differences between career status categories.ResultsAt baseline, common baseline symptoms were: fatigue (45.6%), trouble falling asleep (35.1%), difficulty remembering (33.3%) and irritability (22.8%); 36.8% reported no symptoms. The low concussion (0–1) group reported fewer symptoms (U = 608.50, p = 0.001), less symptom severity (U = 598.00, p = 0.001), and produced greater scores on the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) total scores compared to the multiple concussion (2+) group (U = 253.00, p = 0.024), but no differences were observed on modified Balance Error Scoring System (m-BESS) scores (U = 501.50, p = 0.066) on the Mann-Whitney U test. The Kruskal-Wallis Test and post-hoc analysis indicated retired players were significantly different from draft prospects and current professional players for total symptom scores (p &lt; 0.001), total symptom severity (p &lt; 0.001), SAC total scores (p = 0.030), and m-BESS (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsConcussion history and career status appear to influence performance on the SCAT-3 in elite football players. With this in mind, future research is recommended to determine normative scores on the SCAT-3 for elite football players.

Career Termination of Portuguese Elite Football Players: Comparison between the Last Three Decades.

The aim of this study was to explore the process of career termination of elite soccer players, comparing the quality and the resources to support career termination over the last three decades. To this end, was developed a questionnaire defined by four sections: (a) biographical data, (b) athletic career, (c) quality of career termination and (d) available resources at the moment of career termination. Ninety male former elite Portuguese soccer players participated in this study. The results highlighted a decrease in the length of athletic career as football players and an increase in the number of years as youth players over the last 30 years. The results also revealed that the quality of career termination was difficult. The analysis of resources for career termination revealed an increase in a high level of education over the years. Despite the evolution in the level athletes’ education in the last three decades, the athletic career termination remained difficult and it was reported that they did not plan their career termination. In line with previous studies, the results highlight that the lack of plans for career termination is one of the most important factors that constrain the quality of career transition.

Are tibial angles measured with inertial sensors useful surrogates for frontal plane projection angles measured using 2-dimensional video analysis during single leg squat tasks? A reliability and agreement study in elite football (soccer) players

During single leg squats (SLS), tibial angle (TA) quantification using inertial measurement units (IMU) may offer a practical alternative to frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) measurement using 2-dimensional (2D) video analysis. This study determined: (i) the reliability of IMUs and 2D video analysis for TA measurement, and 2D video analysis for FPPA measurement; (ii) the agreement between IMU TA and both 2D video TA and FPPA measurements during single leg squats in elite footballers. 18 players were tested on consecutive days. Absolute TA (ATA) and relative TA (RTA) were measured with IMUs. ATA and FPPA were measured concurrently using 2D video analysis. Within-session reliability for all measurements varied across days (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) range = 0.27–0.83, standard error of measurement (SEM) range = 2.12–6.23°, minimal detectable change (MDC) range = 5.87–17.26°). Between-sessions, ATA reliability was good for both systems (ICCs = 0.70–0.74, SEMs = 1.64–7.53°, MDCs = 4.55–7.01°), while IMU RTA and 2D FPPA reliability ranged from poor to good (ICCs = 0.39–0.72, SEMs = 2.60–5.99°, MDCs = 7.20–16.61°). All limits of agreement exceeded a 5° acceptability threshold. Both systems were reliable for between-session ATA, although agreement was poor. IMU RTA and 2D video FPPA reliability was variable. For SLS assessment, IMU derived TAs are not useful surrogates for 2D video FPPA measures in this population.

Nutritional Intake in Australian Football Players: Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake.

This study compared the energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake in elite and sub-elite Australian football players and compared nutritional intake to current recommendations. Sports nutrition knowledge was also quantified and compared between elite and sub-elite players. Nutritional intake was quantified in elite (n = 35) and sub-elite (n = 31) players using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool. The 88-item Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire was used to quantify knowledge related to general nutrition concepts, fluid, recovery, weight control, and supplements. Elite players had a higher nutritional intake (mean ± SD) for energy (14,140 ± 5,887kJ [elite players] vs 10,412 ± 3,316kJ [sub-elite players]; P = .002) and fat (40% ± 6% [elite players] vs 34% ± 6% [sub-elite players]; P < .001). Protein intake exceeded the recommended intake in 77% of elite players and 68% of sub-elite players, and carbohydrate intake was below the recommended intake for 91% of elite players and 97% of sub-elite players. Sodium intake recommendations were exceeded by 100% of elite and sub-elite players. Both elite and sub-elite players answered 51% of the Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire questions correctly. The percentage of correctly answered questions specific to supplements was 27% for elite players and 18% for sub-elite players. The results of the current investigation suggest that Australian football players' nutritional intake is inconsistent with current recommendations for macronutrients and some micronutrients. Furthermore, players may benefit from additional knowledge of the risks and benefits of supplement use.

Mental Fatigue in Football: Is it Time to Shift the Goalposts? An Evaluation of the Current Methodology.

Research in football for a long time has focused on the physical nature of fatigue as opposed to its mental aspects. However, since 2016, six original articles have investigated the effects of induced mental fatigue in football on isolated physical, skill and decision-making performance tests, along with physical, technical and tactical performance outcomes in small-sided games. Whilst these studies have overall shown a negative impact of mental fatigue on task performance, this current opinion aims to critically examine the methodological approach to this problem, most notably the lack of ecological validity when inducing mental fatigue and the present approach to measuring mental fatigue using visual analogue scales (VAS). It is suggested that future research on mental fatigue in football may benefit from the use of surveys/interviews to understand the true cognitive demands of elite football players. Additionally, future research should aim to reduce the reliance on using VAS to measure mental fatigue as results from this tool may be confounded by several response biases. In conclusion, this article highlights the need for mentally fatiguing tasks that adequately represent football-associated mental fatigue and assessments of mental fatigue that minimise the confounding effect of response bias.

Patterns in Adapted Football Immigration

While there has been a large quantity of research about migration for elite football players, less research has been done migration patterns of football players with disabilities. An investigation of adapted football players suggests historical migration patterns mirror both football migration patterns. Players following these paths are not doing so for football reasons, and specific types of disabilities are underrepresented in migration despite having large player bases.

Does cognition play a role in injury prevention and return to play in the elite football player? A perspective from the field

Does cognition play a role in injury prevention and return to play in the elite football player? A perspective from the field

Domain Specific Life Satisfaction in the Dual Careers of Junior Elite Football Players: The Impact of Role Strain

Using a holistic perspective on athlete talent development, this study examines the impact of role strain on the life satisfaction in various life domains of junior elite Australian Rules Football players. One hundred and twelve talent-identified male Australian Rules Football players (Mage = 16.8; SD = .71) completed measures of role strain and multidimensional life satisfaction. The results indicated that role strain explained twelve to twenty-four percent of the variance in life satisfaction in the players’ life domains. Experiences of role strain related to the players’ dual careers were associated with decreased life satisfaction in sport, friendships, family, yourself, and global life satisfaction domains. Situations in which the players perceived that their abilities were underutilized were also negatively associated with life satisfaction across various life domains. This study thus evidences the importance of a domain specific, holistic approach to investigate the life satisfaction in junior athletes’ dual careers.

Neurocognitive Performance of 425 Top-Level Football Players: Sport-specific Norm Values and Implications.

Concussion diagnosis and management in sports largely relies on neurocognitive testing. In the absence of baseline assessment, only norm values of the general population are available for comparison with scores of concussed athletes. To evaluate whether (elite) sport specific norm values are needed, cognitive performance was compared between top-level football players and the general population. Cognitive performance of 425 top-level football players was evaluated using the computerized test battery CNS Vital Signs. Players were split into two age groups (15-19 and 20-29 years) and test results were compared with a norm sample (n = 268) by means of age-standardized scores using Cohen's d effect size statistics. The younger age group outperformed the norm sample in all domains, with small to moderate effects on tests of processing speed (d = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.31,0.85), cognitive flexibility (d = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.01,0.53) and psychomotor speed (d = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.69,1.24). In the older age group, no differences were found on four out of six domains; a moderate positive effect was found for psychomotor speed (d = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.54,0.93), a small negative effect for reaction time (d = -0.47, 95% CI = -0.66,-0.28). Relative to the norm, older football players scored lower than younger football players on all test domains. Cognitive performance of elite football players may be different from the general population. It is recommended to use football-specific norm scores for comparison with test results of concussed players, and to choose an adequate control group when investigating effects of contact sport on cognition. Studies with older/retired football players are needed to further analyze potential sport-specific age effects.

Exposing an "Intangible" Cognitive Skill Among Collegiate Football Players: II. Enhanced Response Impulse Control.

American football is played in a dynamic environment that places considerable demands on a player’s ability to make fast, precise reactions while controlling premature, impulsive reactions to spatial misinformation. We investigated the hypothesis that collegiate football players are more proficient than their non-athlete counterparts at controlling impulsive motor actions. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football players (n = 280) and non-athlete controls (n = 32) completed a variant of the Simon conflict task, which quantifies choice reaction speed and the proficiency of controlling spatially driven response impulses. Overall, the choice reaction times (RTs) and accuracy rates of football players and controls were equivalent. Similarly, football players and controls were equally susceptible to producing incorrect impulsive motor responses. However, the slowing of RT attributed to the activation and successful inhibition of these impulses (i.e., the Simon effect) was reduced significantly among football players compared to controls. Moreover, differences in impulse control varied by position among the players, with the reduction being greater for offensive than for defensive players. Among offensive players, running backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen had greater impulse control than did controls, whereas among defensive players only linebackers had greater control. Notably, the Simon effect was reduced by 60% in running backs compared to controls. These results contribute to emerging evidence that elite football players possess more proficient executive control over their motor systems than their age counterparts and suggest that the speed of controlling impulsive motor reactions may represent an enhanced cognitive “intangible” among football players.