It’s been widely recognized that the various positions in football suit different physical attributes. A recent study conducted by the University of Kansas has expanded on this knowledge by analyzing a group of college football starters, discovering distinct differences in their strength, power, jumping skills, and more. These insights may assist in tailoring strength training programs that enhance performance for players with different body types, according to the researchers.
Even casual fans of football can observe that players exhibit diverse body types based on their positions. For instance, linemen tend to be larger and bulkier, while wide receivers are generally leaner and quicker. However, a new study from the University of Kansas aims to explore more subtle variations in fitness and strength traits among players by position, which may not be evident even to seasoned observers of the game.
If coaches and trainers can rely on data indicating that linebackers often possess greater upper body strength or that tight ends exhibit superior flexibility, they can implement training regimes tailored to specific positions, thereby optimizing player performance. Quincy Johnson, an assistant professor in health, sport, and exercise science, spearheaded a study that utilized advanced technology to evaluate critical performance metrics among a group of college football players, which revealed notable variances in body type, muscular strength, and power—though flexibility remained consistent across positions.
The research focused on offensive and defensive linemen, key positions like linebackers and tight ends, as well as skill positions such as quarterbacks, wide receivers, and safeties. The team administered a series of tests on 16 starters from an NCAA Division II football team, all of whom were injury-free and regularly engaged in strength and conditioning workouts.
“There are various body types and unique requirements even within the same sport,” Johnson stated. “Speed, mobility, and flexibility all contribute to an athlete’s ability to excel in football, along with strength and power, which significantly impact performance. Our findings indicated notable differences among position groups in terms of muscular power and strength, but not in flexibility.”
The players were categorized into offensive and defensive groups and assessed for body composition, including height, overall body mass, and lean mass. Subsequently, key performance indicators such as movement capacity, muscular strength, and power were evaluated. Utilizing technologies like markerless motion capture systems and force measurement plates, the researchers gauged movement efficiency during squats, strength through isometric mid-thigh pulls, power from jumping activities, and other relevant measures.
As anticipated, the study found distinct differences in body composition, with linemen exhibiting more mass compared to other key skill positions. These skill players, however, demonstrated superior jump heights and more efficient force transfer during jumps, highlighting the varied athletic qualities required for each position. Movement capacity did not reveal significant disparities among the different positions tested.
Specific evaluations of muscular strength and power indicated variations among differing position groups, but peak force measures remained consistent, underscoring the crucial need for developing absolute strength, the researchers noted.
Johnson, a former collegiate football player and strength and conditioning expert, views this study as a call to advance the field. By quantifying the differences in body composition, movement capabilities, and types of strength and power scientifically, it paves the way for future research that aims to enhance performance over time. Further investigations are necessary to ascertain the best training methods tailored for each position’s requirements.
The study, co-authored by Johnson, Yang Yang, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, and Andrew Fry from KU; Shane Stock, Dalton Gleason, Kazuma Akehi, Dayton Sealey, and Clay Frels from the University of Nebraska-Kearney; and Douglas Smith from Oklahoma State University, was published in The Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology.
“I aspire to provide insights that answer coaches’ inquiries and hopefully guide the field toward new avenues,” Johnson remarked. “The fundamental question remains: ‘Can we evaluate the abilities of these athletes?’ Once we gather that data, can we analyze it in a manner that enhances performance over time?”
Having played football since he was five years old in Oklahoma, Johnson was curious about training camp dynamics at the collegiate level, particularly why initial and concluding days of the camp were often the most demanding. While he himself did not incur severe injuries, he witnessed teammates who either experienced serious issues or left the sport for various reasons. By applying a scientific perspective to these training challenges, he aims to assist athletes, coaches, trainers, and others in utilizing data to optimize performance. Such metrics could help refine training plans specifically for defensive backs to maximize their potential or assist linemen in maintaining their fitness and avoiding injuries, for example.
Future studies will analyze data from Division I football players and those involved in other sports as well.
The authors highlight that these research findings will be beneficial not just for athletes and coaches, but also for strength and conditioning specialists, sports scientists, sports medicine experts, nutritionists, and registered dietitians.
Johnson’s research is part of the broader initiatives by the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, associated with the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance. This alliance aims to improve human health by understanding the factors that contribute to peak performance. While much knowledge about human health has been derived from disease studies, the research conducted at KU and its partners focus on elite athletic performance to promote overall health and well-being.
