Body Composition Relates Poorly to Performance in NCAA Division III Football Players

We assessed body composition (height, body mass, body mass index, body fat by densitometry, fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean/fat ratio) and performance (10- and 40-yd sprints, pro shuttle run, vertical jump, sit and reach, and bench press) in 77 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III football players. Data were analyzed by position and playing status. Significant differences (p less than or equal to 0.05) were found between positions for all body composition measurements and all performance tests except the sit and reach. Starters outperformed nonstarters in all performance tests except the 10-yd sprint and sit and reach (p less than or equal to 0.05). Correlations (r) for percent body fat and performance tests ranged from 0.52 to 0.70, and common variance with the effects of body mass removed ranged from 8 to 23%. Percent body fat is not closely correlated with results of commonly administered performance tests in Division III football players

Ponderal Somatogram Analysis of Girth Measurements by Position in Division III College Football Players

Ponderal somatograms assessed body compositions in four groups of Division III collegiate football players: offensive line (OL), defensive line (DL), offensive backs (OB), and defensive backs (DB). Ponderal somatograms evaluate body size and shape by converting muscular (shoulders, chest, biceps, forearm, thigh, and calf) and nonmuscular (abdomen, hips knee, ankle, and wrist) girths into ponderal equivalent (PE) values. Anthropometric measurements, including stature, body mass, girths, and percent body fat by densitometry were collected in 82 players (22 OL, 12 DL, 20 OB, and 28 DB) during preseason camp. PE values were calculated for each girth as PE, kilograms = (girth, cm / k)sq. x stature, decimeters, where k=k constant from Behnke\u27s reference man. PE values were compared to body mass to indicate overdevelopment (PE greater than body mass) and underdevelopment (PE less than body mass). OL was significantly heavier than DL (+15.6 kg), OB (+25.2 kg), and DB (+22.4 kg). OL percent fat as significantly greater than DL (+5.9%), OB (+9.0%), and DB (+9.3%). Similar differences occurred in girths and PE values by position. Muscular components were generally overdeveloped, with the greatest overdevelopment in the biceps (OL + 16.0 kg, DL + 19 kg, OB + 14.2 kg, and DB + 16.2 kg). Nonmuscular abdomen, hips, and knee were generally overdeveloped, with the greatest overdevelopment in the OL abdomen (+19.3 kg). Nonmuscular ankle and wrist were underdeveloped. Ponderal somatograms provide a relatively quick and simple method to translate girth measurements into ponderal equivalent values that seem to be position-specific among offensive and defensive linemen and backs. Somatograms provide an appraisal of body composition that helps coaches and athletes monitor the effectiveness of strength and conditioning programs

Ponderal Somatograms Assess Changes in Anthropometric Measurements Over an Academic Year in Division III Collegiate Football Players

Ponderal somatograms evaluate body size and shape by converting muscular (shoulders, chest, biceps, forearm, thigh, calf) and nonmuscular (abdomen, hips, knee, ankle, wrist) girths into ponderal equivalent (PE) values. Anthropometric measurements, including stature, body mass, girths, and percent body fat by densitometry were collected in 54 Division III football players in preseason camp (fall) and at the beginning (winter) and end (spring) of the team strength and conditioning program. PE values were calculated for each girth as PE, kg = (girth, cm / k) squared x stature, dm, where k = k constant from Behnke\u27s reference man. PE values were compared to body mass to indicate overdevelopment (PE is greater than body mass) and underdevelopment (PE is less than body mass) at specific girth sites. From fall to winter, body mass (+1.6 kg), percent fat (+1.3%), fat mass (+1.6 kg), nonmuscular abdominal and hip girths (+2.1 cm, +1.5 cm), and PE values (+5.3 kg, +2.6 kg) increased significantly (p is less than 0.05). From winter to spring, percent fat (-1.5%), fat mass (-1.4 kg), nonmuscular abdominal girth (-1.0 co), and PE value (-2.5 kg) decreased significantly (p is less than 0.05) from winter to spring. Fat-free mass (+1.5 kg), muscular biceps girth (+0.4 cm), and PE value (+2.6 kg) increased significantly (p is less than 0.05) from winter to spring. Ponderal somatograms muscular components were generally overdeveloped, with the greatest overdevelopment at the biceps in the fall (+14.7 kg), winter (+14.9 kg), and spring (+17.4 kg). Nonmuscular components generally were underdeveloped, except abdomen and hips that were overdeveloped. The abdomen remained the greatest nonmuscular overdevelopment in fall (+6.8 kg), winter (+10.5 kg), and spring (+7.9 kg). Ponderal somatograms provide a relatively simple, practical method to track specific changes in body size and shape over time