22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Comparing 40-yard Dash and Pro-Agility (20 yd Shuttle) Times on Natural Grass and Synthetic Turf
Graydon L. Gaines* and Andy N. Swedenhjelm
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Dr. Michael Bird, and Dr. Jeremy Houser, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in 40-yd dash and pro-agility time on artificial turf and natural grass. Twenty-four red-shirt freshmen college football players performed two trials each of a 40-yd dash and pro-agility run on each surface. The first test series was performed on the artificial turf, and the second test series on natural grass. Each sprint was timed by an electronic system and by 2 hand timers. Agility was timed on each surface by 2 hand timers. There was no significant difference between sprint times on turf (5.37 ± 0.30 s) and grass (5.36 ± 0.33 s). Hand timed sprints were significantly faster (5.12 ± 0.31 s) than electronically timed ones (5.36 ± 0.33 s). Agility times were significantly faster on turf (4.64 ± 0.28 s) than on grass (4.76 ± 0.32 s). Artificial turf may enhance some aspects of football performance and leave others unchanged.
Keywords: 40 yard Dash, Pro-agility, Times, Natural Grass, Synthetic Turf
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-10
Location: PML
Time: 4:15