The Research of Physical Fitness Criteria for NFL Draft Success from 2004 to 2023

Physical fitness is one of the core competitive abilities in team sports, and it is important to confirm the specific levels that athletes need to achieve in order to set training goals and training plans. In this study, we analyzed the physical fitness test and draft results of the National Football League（NFL） Scouting Combine（SC） over the past 20 years（from 2004 to 2023） through ROC curve, so as to investigate the threshold of physical fitness standard for draft success. Results: 1) NFL draft fitness tests could discriminate draft outcomes（P＜0.05）, the athletes who meet fitness standards was 1.5 to 4.4 times more likely to be drafted successfully than athletes who do not meet the standards（OR=1.514-4.413, P＜0.05）; 2) The fitness standards of draft can distinguish the effects of different index on athletes at different positions; 3) The longitudinal draft stands was changed significantly,and the changes reflect the trend of physical fitness requirements in rugby players. This study provides new ideas and methods for scientific setting of standards and goals in the physical training of American football in China.