Are there differences in maximal isometric force and rapid force characteristics in Division II American collegiate football players?
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to see if maximal isometric force characteristics could discriminate positional groupings in division II American college football players. Methods: Thirty-eight male collegiate athletes (mean ± SD: age 20.37 ± 1.62 years, height 185.37 ± 5.04 cm, and weight 101.89 ± 20.13 kg) performed maximal isometric mid-thigh pulls. Peak force, time-specific force, and rate of force development was calculated from a force-time curve. A one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc adjustments was used to examine position differences between Line (n = 16), Large Skill (n = 9), and Small Skill (n = 13) position groups with α priori set at p < .05. Results: There was a significant difference for peak force, where OD/L and LS had greater PF compared to SS (p ≤ .001 – .026), additionally, OD/L had greater PF than LS (p = .022). Time-specific force-time curve forces (PF50ms–PF250ms) reported greater forces for OD/L and LS compared to SS (p ≤ .001 – .036), and PF150 was greater for OD/L compared to LS (p = .047). For RFD, LS had greater RFD compared to SS and OD/L for RFD 0-50ms (p = .005 – .020). Conclusion: These findings suggest the importance of assessing time-specific forces, and RFD phases from isometric force-time curves with American football players. Coaches and strength staff may refer to these findings when designing conditioning programs for collegiate football players.
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