Abstract
This study aimed to examine body composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry
(DXA) in male and female NCAA Division I collegiate basketball athletes.
Two-hundred ten (male [M]/female [F]=88/122)
basketball athletes’ total and regional fat mass, lean mass, bone
mineral density, and visceral adipose tissue were measured. Athletes were
classified as: point guards (M/F=27/34), shooting
guards (M/F=18/27), small forwards
(M/F=13/18), power forwards
(M/F=21/27), and centers
(M/F=9/16). ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD assessed
positional differences by sex. In males, centers and power forwards had
greater total fat mass (p<0.025), lean mass (p≤0.001), and
visceral adipose tissue (p<0.001) than other positions. Male centers
had greater arm and leg fat mass and lean mass than point guards, shooting
guards, and small forwards (p≤0.049), and greater arm bone mineral
density than point guards (p=0.015). In females, centers had greater
total fat mass (p<0.001) vs. other positions and greater total lean
mass, arm fat and lean masses, arm and leg bone mineral density, and
visceral adipose tissue vs. point guards and shooting guards
(p≤0.005). Female point guards had lower total bone mineral density
than power forwards (p=0.008). In conclusion, these sex- and
position-specific total and regional body composition measurements in
collegiate basketball players provide population-specific normative
data.
Key word
dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) - bone mineral density - fat mass - lean mass, visceral adipose tissue
