RELATIONSHIP OF BODY MASS AND BILATERAL RUNNING GAIT PARAMETERS IN ELITE AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Authors

Monique Mokha, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Lia Jiannine, Nova Southeastern University
Peter Bommarito
Jose Antonio, Nova Southeastern University

Category

Rugby codes

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Sprinting is integral to American football and is thought to be influenced by the same gait parameters as track runners; however, the heavier mass of American football players may influence performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mass, contact time (T_C), aerial time (T_A), swing time (T_S), and stance-averaged vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) for both limbs. Subjects ran on an instrumented treadmill for 5 sec at 6.5 m/s. T_c, T_A, T_S and stance-averaged vGRF were compared between limbs and examined for association with mass. All parameters were symmetrical between limbs, p>.05. Mass (103.0+12.2 kg) was moderately associated with T_c (0.17+.02 sec) on the left, r=0.666, p=0.013, but not the right (r=0.551, p=.051). The high mass of American football players may affect variables associated with speed.

Recommended Citation

Mokha, Monique; Jiannine, Lia; Bommarito, Peter; and Antonio, Jose (2019) "RELATIONSHIP OF BODY MASS AND BILATERAL RUNNING GAIT PARAMETERS IN ELITE AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 37: Iss. 1, Article 45.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol37/iss1/45