A Comparative Analysis of the 2021 NFL Combine Data: The Relationship Between Linear Sprint, Momentum, Vertical and Horizontal Jumps and Change of Direction Deficit

Abstract

The majority of COD execution assessments employ the use of total time as the metric by which COD performance is judged. This study investigated the relationships between CODD time, sprint time, 5-10-5 and jump performance. Performance data of 328 participants of the 2021 NFL Combine (age: 22.35 ± 1.00 years; height: 1.87 ± 0.07m; weight: 108.51 ± 21.61kg) was collected and used for the analysis. CODD correlated to the 5- 10-5 pro-agility (r= 0.69 - 0.71) test but not sprint time (r= 0.15 - 0.27) for both the drafted and undrafted groups. Meanwhile, there was a large to very large association between 5-10-5 proagility time and the sprint variables (r = 0.62 - 0.82) for both drafted and undrafted groups. The correlation between CODD time and momentum was minor (r= 0.26 – 0.28) for both drafted and undrafted groups, but the 5-10-5 pro-agility reported a strong to a very strong association with momentum (r= 0.57 – 0.75). There was an inversely small correlation between CODD time and VJh (r= – 0.27) and BJ (r= -0.25– -0.28) for both drafted and undrafted groups whereas the 5-10-5 pro-agility time reported an inversely large to very large correlation with VJH (r= -0.51 – -0.68) and BJ (r= -0.57 – -0.71) on both groups. The magnitude and impact of the momentum, horizontal jump, and vertical jump of participants on their CODD time indicate that coaches and fitness experts should focus on improving the technical aspects of the COD execution when attempting to improve their CODS.