Wichmann lead author of article on body composition of NCAA Division I football players

Therese Wichmann, MS and recent graduate from School of Kinesiology, is the lead author of an article entitled “Longitudinal Assessment of NCAA Division I Football Body Composition by Season and Player Age” that was recently published in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal body composition changes by position, categorized by season and age in 719 NCAA Division I football players. Percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass, total body mass, bone mineral density, and visceral adipose tissue were measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Players were categorized into position groups of Linemen, Big Skill, Skill, or Special Team. The study found that Linemen had the greatest fat mass and lean mass measures compared with other groups for season and age. From preseason to postseason, percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass and bone mineral density significantly decreased for each position group. From postseason to spring season, percent body fat, fat mass and visceral adipose tissue decreased, whereas lean mass increased within each position group. Fat mass, visceral adipose tissue, lean mass and total body mass increased with age in all position groups. The findings of this study indicate that body composition significantly worsened from preseason to postseason and improved from the preseason and postseason to the spring season.

Don Dengel, PhD, a professor of kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology (LIHP); Erica Roelofs, MS and current doctoral student; and Tyler Bosch, PhD, a graduate from the School of Kinesiology, were co-authors on this article.