Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine body composition of National Collegiate
Athletic Association Division I female soccer players by position and season.
One hundred seventy-five female athletes were categorized by positions of
forward (n=47), midfielder (n=51), defender (n=57), and
goalkeeper (n=20). A dual X-ray absorptiometry scan assessed percent
body fat, total lean mass, total fat mass, arm and leg lean mass and fat mass,
and visceral adipose tissue. Goalkeepers had significantly higher total, arm,
and leg lean mass and fat mass compared to all other positions (p<0.05).
For seasonal changes, body fat percentage was significantly higher in winter
off-season (26.7%) compared to summer off-season (25.7%) and
pre-season (25.8%; p<0.01) for all positions. Total and leg lean
mass was significantly lower in winter off-season compared to all other seasons,
and total lean mass was significantly higher in summer off-season than
pre-season (p<0.01). Overall, goalkeepers were significantly different
than all other positions. Body fat percentage increased and lean mass decreased
in winter off-season indicating potential undesired changes in training
and/or nutrition over the break whereas lean mass was the highest in
summer off-season potentially reflecting the emphasis on resistance training and
increased volume of training.
Key words
dual x-ray absorptiometry - lean mass - visceral adipose tissue - sports