Peart, AN, Nicks, CR, Mangum, M, and Tyo, BM. Evaluation of seasonal changes in fitness, anthropometrics, and body composition in collegiate division II female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2010-2017, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate anthropometrics, body composition, aerobic and anaerobic fitness of collegiate Division II female soccer players throughout a calendar year. Eighteen (20 ± 0.9 years) National Collegiate Athletics Association division II female soccer players from the same team participated in the study. Anthropometrics and body composition variables were assessed in addition to the counter movement jump (CMJ), Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAT), and peak oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak). Data were collected over 5 time points: end of competitive seasons (ECS1 and ECS2), beginning of off-season (BOS), end of off-season (EOS), and preseason (PS). Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare test scores among all 5 data collection points. Where appropriate, Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to determine which points were significantly different. Hip circumference decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from EOS (98.47 ± 6.5 cm) to PS (94.46 ± 6.8 cm). Fat mass (12.73 ± 5.4 kg) was significantly different in ECS2 compared with BOS and EOS means (p ≤ 0.05) and percentage of body fat (%BF) (20.08 ± 5.44) significantly different in ECS2 compared with ECS1, BOS, and EOS means (p ≤ 0.05), whereas fat-free mass (FFM) was maintained from ECS1 to ECS2. Counter movement jump, WAT, and V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak performance did not significantly change from ECS1 to ECS2. Anthropometrics and body composition results are similar to previous studies measuring Division II to professional female soccer players. Counter movement jump results remained consistent and are comparable to results on Division I female soccer players. Coaches and researchers can use these data to help design and evaluate training programs throughout a calendar year.

Peart, A, Wadsworth, D, Washington, J, and Oliver, G. Body composition assessment in female National Collegiate Athletic Association division I softball athletes as a function of playing position across a multiyear time frame. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The purpose of this study was to record changes in total body mass, lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (BF%) in female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level softball athletes over a multiyear time frame using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (iDXA). Forty-two (20.36 ± 1.59 years) NCAA Division I collegiate softball athletes volunteered over 2 years. Subjects tested 3 times throughout the season (pre-season, mid-season, and post-season) in 2015-2017. Total and regional LBM, FM, and BF% were measured by the iDXA. A mixed-design analysis of variance was performed to examine LBM, FM, BF%, and player position interaction over time. Where appropriate, post hoc tests were used to determine statistically different variables (p ≤ 0.05). Lean body mass decreased significantly (p = 0.048) from mid-season (50.02 ± 0.28) to post season (49.67 ± 0.37). Fat mass and BF% decreased significantly for all playing positions over the season except for pitchers, who showed significantly (p < 0.000) higher levels of FM (26.56 ± 1.74) and BF% (31.77 ± 1.14) than all other positions. The current study revealed that all athletes decreased in LBM during the competitive season. Pitchers from this study consistently maintain a higher FM and BF% than the catchers, infielders, and outfielders. These data reveal that more emphasis of training and conditioning for optimal performance should be focused on the pitching position to maintain a healthy body composition.

Objectives: Women have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than their male counterparts, and interventions should target women with or at risk for metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to compare two intervention strategies on long-term outcomes following the completion of an exercise intervention. Methods: Twenty-six women ( M age = 43.35 ± 9.03) with at least one risk factor for metabolic syndrome were randomized into either a motivational interviewing group ( n = 10) or self-regulation-based mobile messaging control group ( n = 16) as a 12-week follow-up to a 10-week, 30-session exercise intervention. Outcomes of interest were body fat percentage, bone mineral density, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Results: Mixed ANOVAs revealed a significant effect for group × time for body fat percentage F(1, 24) = 8.30, p = 0.01, [Formula: see text] = 0.26, bone mineral density F(1, 24) = 6.68, p = 0.02, [Formula: see text] = 0.22, waist circumference F(1, 24) = 10.35, p = 0.01, [Formula: see text] = 0.30, triglycerides F(1, 24) = 5.06, p = 0.03, [Formula: see text] = 0.17, and systolic blood pressure F(1, 24) = 5.39, p = 0.03, [Formula: see text] = 0.18 all in favor of the motivational interviewing group after 12 weeks when compared to the self-regulation-based mobile messaging group. No significant effect for group × time was noted for diastolic blood pressure p = 0.36, [Formula: see text] = 0.04, high-density cholesterol p = 0.08, [Formula: see text] = 0.12, or fasting blood glucose p = 0.85, [Formula: see text] = 0.01 when comparing the motivational interviewing and self-regulation-based mobile messaging groups. Conclusions: Motivational interviewing may be a more impactful solution to extend the effects of exercise intervention studies compared to a self-regulation-based mobile messaging control group. Future interventions should focus on increasing sample size, utilizing more objective measures of body composition, utilizing booster sessions, and increasing the length of follow-up periods.

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The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of a concurrent exercise program (sprint interval training and resistance exercise) on body composition in women with obesity and factors associated with continued exercise participation following the program. Twenty women (37.1 ± 7.4 y, height = 1.63 ± 0.09 m, weight = 98.22 ± 0.22 kg, BMI = 34.2 ± 2.50 kg/m2) participated in a 10-week exercise intervention consisting of a sprint interval treadmill protocol and resistance training three times a week totaling 30 sessions. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (iDXA) at pretest, 12 weeks, and six months post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews assessed participants’ perception of the program at both 12 weeks and six months. Participants significantly reduced fat mass (p < 0.001), gynoid fat mass (p < 0.010), android fat mass (p = 0.003), and visceral fat mass (p = 0.003) at 12 weeks post-test. At six months, participants maintained their reductions in fat mass (p = 0.015), visceral fat (p = 0.040) and gynoid fat mass (p = 0.032). There were no significant main time effects in lean mass (p = 0.099) or caloric intake (p = 0.053) at 12 weeks or six months. Themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews at 12 weeks reflected enjoyment in the training, increases in competence and knowledge, as well as apprehension of continuing training on their own. At six months, themes that emerged reflected overcoming barriers, competence regarding high-intensity training, and a lack of competence to engage in resistance training. Sprint interval training coupled with resistance training is a feasible exercise protocol for women with obesity and results in reduced fat mass over six months. Improving women’s competence for training is imperative for continued participation.