Anthropometric and Performance Parameters of Japanese High School American Football Players: A Case Study of Selection for International Matches

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric and performance parameters between American football players from different high school grades and to compare their physical characteristics to the normative values for U.S. and Japanese players from previous studies. The analysis included 240 grade 10 and 11 American football players. The testing included height, body mass, broad jump, 40-yard dash, and pro-agility shuttle. The analysis was stratified by position: linemen (offensive and defensive), big skill players (fullbacks, tight ends, and linebackers), and skill players (wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs). The only between-grade difference was body mass for linemen (Cohen’s d>0.6), with no moderate effects for all other measured variables (|d| ≦0.6). No Japanese players were better in both mass and performance measures than U.S. elite high school players. The strength and conditioning program for long-term athlete development should be established for American football players in Japan.

Annual Changes in the Physical Characteristics of Japanese Division I Collegiate American Football Players

“…The pro-agility shuttle and broad jump were conducted in the same way as our previous studies (41,42). Each player attempted the pro-agility shuttle twice (start to the right and left) with at least 3-minute rest.…”

“…A previous study comparing the top-level US American football players to their Italian counterparts revealed that US players were bigger, faster, and more powerful (38). Moreover, there is a significant gap in terms of physical characteristics between the Japanese and US American football players at the top (41), collegiate (17), and high school levels (42), even though Japan is one of the leading nations in American football and had two career world championships in 1999 and 2003. In Japan, there are approximately 4,000 high school and 10,000 collegiate players (20).…”

Investigation on Teaching Methods of American Football Course

“…Center back: This is located 8-10 yards from the starting line and is mainly responsible for coordinating with the opponent's passing, usually with two center backs [7][8].…”