Talent selection in high school football using selected physiological tests

This project assessed the effectiveness of physical performance tests on their predictive capabilities in high school football playing time. In the study, data from 63 male High School Varsity Football players was analyzed for 10 athletic tests and height, weight, and BMI. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including multivariate and discriminant analyses, were completed, and indicated that the vertical jump, medball throw, and proagility shuttle were the most predictive tests of playtime for the team. The discriminant analysis indicated that the vertical jump effectively distinguished starting wide receivers and defensive backs from nonstarters. In contrast, this analysis found the proagility shuttle separated the playing time of quarterbacks, tight ends, linebackers, and running backs. The proagility and the medball throw, effectively distinguished the offensive- and defensive-line starters from the nonstarters. These findings are similar to research with college athletes and provide insight about which tests effectively predict performance at the high school level.