Investigation of the Relationships between Isokinetic Leg Strength, Sprint and Agility Performance in Collegiate American Football Players
Enver Tatlıcıoğlu1
, Ozan Atalağ2, Cem Kurt3, Mustafa Ferit Acar4
1Sports Affair Directorate, Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimağusa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
2Department of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii, United States
3School of Kırkpınar Physical Education and Sports, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
4School of Physical Education and Sports, Girne American University, Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Keywords: American Football, isokinetic strength, sprint, agility
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between absolute isokinetic knee flexion and extension strength, and sprint and agility performance in collegiate male American Football players.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-six collegiate male players aged 19-27 years with at least a year of experience in playing American Football participated in the study. The players were tested for absolute isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak torque, sprint, and agility performance over two different days with at least 72-hour rest interval between tests. Knee flexion and extension peak torque were measured by means of an isokinetic dynamometer (HUMAC NORM, USA) at angular velocities of 60°·s-1, 150°·s-1, and 300°·s-1 for both knees. Sprint performance was evaluated with 40-yard dash and agility was evaluated with pro-agility tests, respectively.
Results: The study demonstrated that 40-yard dash and pro-agility test results did not correlate with any measures of isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak torque (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak torque are not good predictors of sprint and agility performance in male collegiate American Football players. Additional research that will also evaluate relative (Nm.kg-1) isokinetic strength may be required to elucidate whether a correlation between isokinetic strength, and sprint and agility performance or perhaps other measures of performance exist for American Football players.
Cite this article as: Tatlicioglu E, Atalag O, Kurt C, Acar MF. Investigation of the relationships between isokinetic leg strength, sprint and agility performance in collegiate american football players. Turk J Sports Med. 2020;55(3):192-99.
