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Abstract

Collegiate football player body composition likely changes over the course of the season, and might differ based on player position. The extent to which this occurs in Division III football players is not known. PURPOSE: To examine differences in body composition from pre- to post-season and positional differences among Division III football players at Southwestern University. METHODS: Division III NCAA football players at Southwestern University were recruited prior to the 2025 season. Body composition was determined pre- and post-season by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).  Only athletes who completed the season and were not sidelined due to injury returned for post-season testing. Athletes were categorized into two groups: linemen (offensive line, defensive line, and tight ends) and skill players (special teams, running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs). Body composition variables assessed included bone mass, lean mass, fat mass, visceral adipose tissue, percent body fat, and total mass. Data were analyzed using a 2x2 mixed model ANOVA in JASP (0.19.3). RESULTS: There were significant differences between linemen and skill players across all body composition variables, with linemen demonstrating greater values in each measure. The only significant difference in pre- to post-season change between groups was an increase in lean mass among linemen (F(1, 36) = 5.30, p = .027). Fat mass significantly increased from pre- to post-season in both linemen and skill position groups (F(1, 36) = 4.83, p = .034).There were no significant pre- to post-season changes in bone mass or visceral adipose tissue (F(1, 36) = 1.39, p = .247). CONCLUSION: This study found significant positional differences in body composition, with in-season participation resulting in increased fat mass and greater lean mass gains among linemen.

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