Üniversiteler Liginde Oynayan Amerikan Futbolu Oyuncularında Fiziksel ve Fizyolojik Özelliklerin Mevkilere Göre Karşılaştırılması

The aim of this study is to compare the parameters of body composition, flexibility, lower extremity anaerobic strength, knee extension/flexion strength, ankle plantar flexion/dorsiflexion strength, aerobic capacity, respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength in American Football players playing in the university league, according to the position they play. 45 athletes actively playing American football between the ages of 17-28 were included in this study which conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean University Cardiopulmonary/Athlete Health Laboratory and Yasin Düşüner Stadium. Sociodemographic information, sports age, surgery history, dominant side, injury history and playing positions of all athletes participating in the study were evaluated. Individuals were divided into groups as linemen, linebackers and speed players according to their playing positions. Body composition, flexibility, knee extension/flexion strength, ankle plantar flexion/dorsiflexion strength, lower extremity anaerobic strength, aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions of all participants were evaluated. Body composition was evaluated with bioelectric impedance analysis monitor by measuring height (cm), total body mass (kg), body fat mass (kg), body fat ratio (%), body muscle mass (kg), body muscle mass ratio (%) and body mass index. Flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test. Knee extension/flexion strength was evaluated with a computer-assisted isokinetic dynamometer device at an angular velocity of 300°/sec, and plantar flexion/dorsiflexion strength of the ankle at an angular velocity of 120°/sec. Lower extremity anaerobic strength was evaluated by vertical jump test. Aerobic capacity was evaluated with the Level 1 Yo-Yo IR test. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated with an intraoral pressure gauge for both inspiratory and expiratory muscles. Pulmonary functions measurement was evaluated by spirometer. When the results of sports age, height, knee extension strength, knee flexion strength, ankle plantar flexion strength, respiratory functions and respiratory muscle strength were compared according to their positions, there was no statistically significant difference between them (p> 0.05). The difference between groups in the parameters of body weight, body mass index, fat ratio, muscle mass, muscle ratio and aerobic capacity is statistically significant (p <0.05). In terms of ankle dorsiflexion strength and ankle plantar / dorsiflexion ratio, line and speed players had significantly better results than linebacker players. In terms of knee extension, knee flexion, ankle plantar flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion ratio to total body weight, speed players achieved significantly better results than line and linebacker players. It was observed that the speed players obtained statistically significant different results from the other two groups in the flexibility measurements (p <0.05). In lower extremity anaerobic power measurements, a statistically significant difference was found between the linemen and the other two groups (p <0.05). Keywords: American Football, Flexibility, Body Composition, Aneorobic Power, Aerobic Capacity, Muscle Strength, Respiratory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength