An international team of researchers, led by the University of Stirling, has published the first detailed study on the physical characteristics of elite flag football players. This work comes at a key moment, as flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and its popularity continues to grow, with more than 20 million players worldwide and 31 countries competing in the last World Cup.

Flag football, considered the most inclusive and accessible form of American football, is characterized by its fast pace and lack of physical contact, as defenders must pull a flag from their opponent’s belt instead of tackling them. The research, published in ‘Frontiers in Nutrition’, provides accurate data for the first time on the physique, muscle mass, and body fat percentage of elite athletes in this sport.

New standards for training and injury prevention

The study, conducted in collaboration with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), analyzed 139 players from 13 countries during the 2023 European Flag Football Championship. The results show that men have greater muscle and bone mass, as well as greater height and weight, while women have higher skinfold values and a higher percentage of adipose tissue.

Most of the players analyzed have a mesomorphic profile, i.e., a predominantly muscular build. These data have made it possible to establish reference values and new performance indicators that can be used by coaches, sports scientists, and nutrition professionals to optimize athlete preparation.

International collaboration

The research team, made up of specialists from Scotland, England, Argentina, and Mexico, applied the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, the global standard for anthropometric assessment in sport. This methodology has enabled the collection of data comparable with other disciplines and populations, thus facilitating the development of evidence-based recommendations.

The study also involved the participation of 11 experts in areas such as kinanthropometry, physiology, nutrition, physiotherapy, sports medicine, and sports science from universities in Scotland, England, Spain, and Mexico.