Football Equipment Effects on 20-yard Agility Power in High School Football Players

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2012-05, Vol.44 (5S), p.427-427
• Main Authors: Richard, Brittany S, Miller, Lauren E, Campbell, Brian J, Morgan, Katie C, Bergeron, Stefan L, Thompson, Cole M, Guidry, Torie M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0195-9131

Traditional sports performance test does not incorporate (game like) conditions when determining the speed or agility of an athlete. Agility power testing with equipment (APE) gives more evidence on how the players will perform in game like situations than testing without equipment (APW). This also gives coaches valuable insight on the players potential and further allows them to implement effective conditioning programs specific to the individual. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of football equipment on agility power in High School Football players. Method: 64 high school football players (weight: 78.28+ or -15.45 kg) were timed in the 20 yard agility run on a natural grass field. Each player was tested in two trials of both APE and APW conditions. Agility time was administered by experienced, hand held timers with the best trial being used for analysis. Power scores were then calculated and compared using a paired samples t-test. RESULTS: A significant difference was noted between APE and APW (t = 5.679, p < .001). DISCUSSION: The results suggest that players significantly increase their agility power with equipment. Coaches can use this information to target players with higher power output in presence of added equipment. This implies that players with higher power output may transition more lean muscle mass to the football field. Participants who demonstrate less power than average should be targeted for improvement through specific strength and conditioning.