title: Can maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics predict playing level in division I American collegiate football players?
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics could discriminate starters from nonstarters in elite Division I American collegiate football players. Sixteen starters (mean ± SD: age = 20.81 ± 1.28 years; height = 184.53 ± 6.58 cm; and mass = 108.69 ± 22.16 kg) and 15 nonstarters (20.40 ± 1.68 years; 182.27 ± 10.52 cm; and 104.60 ± 22.44 kg) performed isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the leg flexor and extensor muscle groups. Peak torque (PT), rate of torque development (RTD), the time to peak RTD (TTRTDpeak), contractile impulse (IMPULSE), and absolute torque values (TORQUE) at specific time intervals were calculated from a torque-time curve. The results indicated significant and nonsignificant differences between starters and nonstarters for the early rapid leg flexion torque characteristics that included RTD, IMPULSE, and TORQUE at 30 and 50 milliseconds, and TTRTDpeak. These variables also demonstrated the largest effect sizes of all the variables examined (0.71-0.82). None of the leg extensor variables, leg flexion PT, or later leg flexion rapid torque variables (≥ 100 milliseconds) were significant discriminators of playing level. These findings suggest that the early rapid leg flexion torque variables may provide an effective and sensitive muscle performance measurement in the identification of collegiate football talent. Further, coaches and practitioners may use these findings when designing training programs for collegiate football players with the intent to maximize rapid leg flexion characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Applied Musculoskeletal and Human Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Brennan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Sobolewski
authors.forename: Doug B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Conchola
authors.forename: Kazuma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akehi
authors.forename: Tyler
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buckminster
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult