Citation

Shovlin A, Roe M, Malone S, Collins K. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2018; 32(8): 2356-2362.

Affiliation

1Gaelic Sports Research Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Tallaght, Dublin 24 2The Tom Reilly Building, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool L3 2ET.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000002071

PMID

28658081

Abstract

The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the variation in the anthropometric and performance characteristics of elite Gaelic football players with respect of position. One hundred and forty-eight elite Gaelic footballers underwent anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of seven skinfolds, % adipose tissue) and performance [counter movement jump height (CMJ), CMJ peak power, CMJ relative peak power, squat jump height (SJ), SJ peak power, SJ relative peak power, 5-, 10- and 20 m sprint times and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-YoIRT2)] during 'the early in-season' phase. Data were split into five positional groups (full-back, half-back, midfield, half-forward and full-forward). Higher %AT was observed in full forwards when compared to the half backs (p = 0.001), midfielders (p = 0.035) and half forwards (p = 0.021). Full forwards had significantly greater SJ (p = 0.036) and CMJ (p = 0.013) when compared to the midfielders with no other positional differences observed. No significant variation in sprint times was observed across positions. When Yo-YoIRT2 was considered, full forwards and full backs completed significantly lower distances compared to the middle three positional lines of, half backs, midfielders and half forwards (p = 0.00). The current study is the first to provide normative data for anthropometric and performance values of elite Gaelic football players which in turn can be utilised by coaches to generate appropriate training regimes to maximise position specific preparation for competitive match-play.

Language: en