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Comparison of anthropometry, upper body strength and lower body power characteristics in different levels of Australian Football players
Bilsborough, Johann Greenway, Kate Opar, David Livingstone, Steuart Cordy, Justin Bird, S. Coutts, Aaron
Bilsborough, Johann
Greenway, Kate
Opar, David
Livingstone, Steuart
Cordy, Justin
Bird, S.
Coutts, Aaron
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometry, upper-body strength, and lower-body power characteristics in elite junior, sub-elite senior, and elite senior Australian Football (AF) players. Nineteen experienced elite senior ( > =4 years Australian Football League [AFL] experience), 27 inexperienced elite senior ( < 4 years AFL experience), 22 sub-elite senior, and 21 elite junior AF players were assessed for anthropometric profile (fat-free soft tissue mass [FFSTM], fat mass, and bone mineral content) with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, upper-body strength (bench press and bench pull), and lower-body power (countermovement jump [CMJ] and squat jump with 20 kg). A 1-way analysis of variance assessed differences between the playing levels in these measures, whereas relationships between anthropometry and performance were assessed with Pearson's correlation. The elite senior and sub-elite senior players were older and heavier than the elite junior players (p < = 0.05). Both elite playing groups had greater total FFSTM than both the sub-elite and junior elite players; however, there were only appendicular FFSTM differences between the junior elite and elite senior players (p < 0.001). The elite senior playing groups were stronger and had greater CMJ performance than the lower level players. Both whole-body and regional FFSTM were correlated with bench press (r = 0.43–0.64), bench pull (r = 0.58–0.73), and jump squat performance measures (r = 0.33–0.55). Australian Football players' FFSTM are different between playing levels, which are likely because of training and partly explain the observed differences in performance between playing levels highlighting the importance of optimizing FFSTM in young players.
Keywords
Date
2015
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Book
Volume
29
Issue
3
Page Range
826-834
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled