The influence of ratio and allometric scaling procedures for normalizing upper body power output in Division I collegiate football players
Document Type
Presentation
Journal/Book Title/Conference
National Strength and Conditioning Association 2010 National Conference
Publisher
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Location
Orlando, FL
Publication Date
7-1-2010
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the differences in upper body power output among lineman and nonlineman division I collegiate football players and to examine the influence of 2 normalization procedures: (a) simple ratio scaling and (b) standardized allometric scaling. Ten lineman (mean 6 SD: age = 19.3 6 1.6 years; height = 187.7 6 4.7 cm; mass = 127.7 6 13.3 kg) and 14 nonlineman (19.6 6 1.4 years; 181.8 6 5.2 cm; 92.3 6 10.6 kg) performed a multiple repetition bench press power test at 50% of their 1 repetition maximum. Peak power (PP) was determined from a Tendo weightlifting analyzer that was attached to the barbell. The PP values were then analyzed under 3 conditions that included: (a) no scaling (absolute values), (b) ratio scaling (PP body mass21 ), and (c) allometric scaling (PP body mass20.67). The results indicated that the larger lineman demonstrated greater absolute PP values (p = 0.02); however, ratio scaling favored the smaller nonlineman group (p = 0.04). There were no differences in PP values between positions after the standardized allometric scaling procedure (p = 0.60). These findings indicated that the standardized allometric scaling procedure may be a more effective method for normalizing PP values among elite division I collegiate football players.
Recommended Citation
B.J. Thompson, D.B. Smith, B.H. Jacobson, R.E. Fiddler, A.J. Warren, B.C. Long, M.S. O’Brien, K.L. Everett, & E.D. Ryan. The influence of ratio and allometric scaling procedures for normalizing upper body power output in Division I collegiate football players. Presented at the National Strength and Conditioning Association national conference, Orlando, FL. July 2010. J Strength Cond Res, 25 (1 Suppl.)