Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine physical and somatotype characteristics of American Football players and to compare these characteristics according to playing positions. A total of 69 American football players from three universities of Ankara participated in this study voluntarily. Subjects’ height, body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and somatotype characteristics were determined. Body fat percentage was determined by Yuhaz formula and somatotype properties was determined according to Heath-Carter system. Independent samples-t test was used to compare these characteristics according to playing position. Results indicated that Turkish American football players have high body mass index (28.22 ± 6.08), high body fat percentage (29.80 ± 18.96) and endo-mesomorphic properties (5.7-7.8-1.5). Independent samples t-test also indicated significant differences in body weight (t= 3.435; p<.01), body mass index (t=3.699; p<0.001), body fat percentage (t=3.373; p<.01), endomorphic (t= 3.151; p<.01), mesomorphic (t= 2.384; p<.05) and ectomorphic (t= -2.91; p<.01) properties between offensive and defensive American football players. Offensive American football players were heavier than defensive players and also had higher body mass index and body fat percentage compared to defensive players. Although both offensive and defensive players had endomesomorphic properties, offensive players had higher scores on all somatotype properties.

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