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Comparisons of Lean Mass Proportionalities Among College Football Players

Abstract

Spencer Newell1, Brenden Kelly1, Monica L. Hunter1, Allison Oligschlaeger1, Jana L. Arabas1, Jerry L. Mayhew1, and William F. Brechue2

1Truman State University, Kirksville, MO; 2A. T. Still University, Kirksville, MO

Large athletes dominate college football. Significant amounts of training are devoted to developing muscle mass in these players. Advanced technology allows measurement of lean mass (LM) in selected regions of the body. However, no studies have evaluated differences in regional LM proportionalities amount players of different sizes in football. PURPOSE: To compare regional LM proportionalities (LM%) among college football players of different body weights. METHODS: NCAA Division-II players (n = 196) volunteered to be measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to determine LM% for arms, legs, and trunk after offseason resistance training. For size comparison, players were divided into 4 body weight categories (Gr 1: <91 kg, n = 100, Gr 2: 91-113 kg, n = 64, Gr 3: 114-135 kg, n = 19, Gr 4: >135 kg, n = 13). Regional proportionalities (LM%) were determine by dividing regional LM by total LM. RESULTS: Absolute arm LM was not significantly different between Gr 4 (8.1 ± 2.4 kg) and Gr 1 (9.1 ± 1.2 kg) or between Gr 2 (10.1 ± 1.1 kg) and Gr 3 (10.4 ± 1.5 kg), but the first pair was significantly lower than the second pair. Gr 1 (24.0 ± 2.3 kg) had a significantly lower absolute leg LM than Gr 2 (27.5 ± 2.2 kg), which was significantly lower than Gr 3 (31.4 ± 2.0 kg) and Gr 4 (31.8 ± 5.5 kg). Gr 3 and Gr 4 did not differ significantly in leg LM. Absolute trunk LM was significantly different across Gr 1 (30.6 ± 2.4 kg), Gr 2 (34.4 ± 2.5 kg), Gr 3 (36.7 ± 5.1 kg), and Gr 4 (41.2 ± 5.7 kg). Arm LM% was not significantly different between Gr 1 (13.4 ± 1.4%) and Gr 2 (13.4 ± 0.9%) or between Gr 2 and Gr 3 (12.5 ± 1.7%); Gr 4 (9.4 ± 2.8%) was significantly lower than all groups. Leg LM% was not significantly different among Gr 1 (35.8 ± 2.5%), Gr 2 (36.4 ± 1.7%) and Gr 4 (36.8 ± 3.1%); Gr 3 (37.7 ± 2.2%) was significantly higher than all other groups. Trunk LM% was significantly lower for Gr 3 (44.0 ± 5.6%) than for Gr 4 (47.4 ± 6.2%), but there were no significant difference among Gr 1 (45.5 ± 1.8%), Gr 2 (45.4 ± 1.6%, and Gr 4 (47.7 ± 6.2%). CONCLUSION: This study revealed significant but small differences in regional lean mass proportionalities among college football players at the Division-II level. Further investigation should be performed on players from Division-I schools to determine if the pattern of regional proportionalities are similar across weight classifications.

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