Muscle Characteristics and Body Composition of NCAA Division I Football Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine muscle characteristics of the vastus lateralis (VL) and body composition of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football players. Sixty-nine Division I football players (mean ± SD; age: 20.0 ± 1.1 years; height: 186.2 ± 7.0 cm; body mass: 106.3 ± 21.1 kg; %fat: 17.8 ± 4.6%) were stratified by player position, race, year, and starter status. A panoramic scan of the VL was performed using a GE Logiq-e B-mode ultrasound. Muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) and echo intensity (EI) were determined using Image-J software from the VL scan. Body composition measures were determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). For mCSA, defensive linemen (DL: 46.7 ± 4.2 cm) had significantly greater CSA (p ≤ 0.05) than wide receivers (WR), linebackers (LB), defensive backs (DB), punters/kickers (PK), and running backs (RB). There were no significant differences for EI (p > 0.05) between positions. Offensive linemen and DL had significantly greater %fat than WR, LB, DB, PK, and RB (p ≤ 0.05); greater lean mass than all other positions (p ≤ 0.05); and more fat mass than quarterbacks, WR, LB, DB, PK, and RB (p ≤ 0.05). There were no muscle or body composition differences for race, year, or starter status. Because no differences between positions were observed for EI measures, it may indicate that competitive athletes have increased muscle quality regardless of body composition differences. Ultrasound and DXA measures may be useful to identify muscle characteristics and imbalances if a player gains or loses weight, suffers an injury, or declines in performance.

Body Composition and Muscle Characteristics of Division I Track and Field Athletes

“…When using this technique to evaluate division I football players, Melvin et al (15) found that while offensive (OL) and defensive linemen (DL) had significantly greater %fat than other positions, they had EI values similar to that of other positions, demonstrating similar muscle quality. Compared to values reported by Melvin et al (2014), throwers in the current study had similar EI values as football players (range = 54.5 – 65.8 a.u.).…”

“…It is well documented that body composition varies by sport (4, 24), as well as by position, and event within a sport (13, 15, 22). Evaluation of body composition has been previously shown to be an important determinant of health and performance (12), however, little data quantifying body composition characteristics of track and field athletes exists.…”

“…Recently, ultrasound has been used to evaluate muscle characteristics in athletes (8, 15, 23). Measurements of muscle cross sectional area (mCSA) and echo intensity (EI) can be used to assess muscle size and quality, respectively (2).…”

Muscular hypertonicity: a suspected contributor to rheumatological manifestations observed in ambulatory practice

“…A wide range of muscle tightness vis-à-vis extensibility or flexibility has been documented among young sports participants, which tends to correlate with the chosen type of athletic competition (15,16). Different degrees of constitutional muscular tonicity (or tightness) may be advantageous in one or another sport (17), as is observed for strength and physical endurance (18).…”

Body Size Changes Among National Collegiate Athletic Association New England Division III Football Players, 1956−2014: Comparison With Age-Matched Population Controls

“…Among offensive linemen on Division I collegiate teams, body weights in excess of 300 lb (136 kg) and BMI values in excess of 35 kg/m 2 are typical [15][16][17][18] and are accompanied by objective risk factors for the development of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. [19][20][21][22] The body size and risk factor trends among National Football League players-most of whom came from Division I collegiate programs-are even greater.…”