35th Annual Student Research Conference
Relationship of 10-yd Sprint Acceleration to 40-yd Sprint Time in NFL Combine Participants
Katelyn M. Juskiv*, Lucy P. O'Connor, and Katie G. Paul
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentor
The 40-yd sprint is a popular test used at the NFL Combine. Questions remain concerning the accuracy of 10-yd acceleration to predict 40-yd time. The purpose of this study was to assess 10-yd acceleration as a predictor of 40-yd time (in seconds). Linemen (n=123, 301 ± 24.7 lbs),
tightends/linebackers (n=53, 247 ± 15.3 lbs), and backs (n=171, 208 ± 18.6 lbs) performed two 40-yd dash trials with time assessed by infrared gates placed at 10 and 40-yds. Linear regression in a validation sample (n=261) produced an equation using body weight and 10-yd acceleration
to predict 40-yd time. Cross-validation on a randomly selected sample (n=86) produced a high correlation between predicted and actual 40-yd sprint time (r=0.95) but a significantly slower predicted time (4.91 ± 0.30 sec) than actual time (4.85 ± 0.30 sec). 10-yd acceleration may be
limited in its ability to predict 40-yd sprint time in football players.
Keywords: 40-yd sprint, 10-yd acceleration, predict, linear regression, correlation, equation, NFL Combine, cross-validation
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 1-7
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 3:00