Abstract
American football linemen are at an increased risk for developing obesity-related
diseases. This study evaluated the impact of race and position on abdominal fat (visceral
adipose tissue and android fat percentage) in football linemen. Thirty-four offensive and
defensive linemen (%fat: 27.1±7.2%) completed a total body dual-energy X-ray
absorptiometry scan to estimate visceral fat and android fat percentage. Participants were
stratified by race [Black: n=23; White: n=11] and position (Offense: n=18; Defense: n=16).
Two separate two-way ANOVA tests [race × position] were completed. For visceral adipose
tissue, there was no interaction (p=0.056), but there was an effect of race (Black:
0.57±0.34 kg; White: 1.51±0.56 kg; p <0.001) and position (Offense: 1.22±0.60 kg;
Defense: 0.49±0.34 kg; p<0.001). For android fat percentage, there was no interaction
(p=0.855) or race effect (Black: 31.5±11.3%; White: 40.9±8.6%; p=0.123); there was a
position effect (Offense: 42.1±5.6%; Defense: 26.0±9.9%; p<0.001). Offensive linemen,
regardless of race, had greater visceral adipose tissue and android fat percent compared
to defensive linemen. White linemen had greater visceral adipose tissue, regardless of
position. These results suggest football linemen, especially offensive linemen with
increased abdominal adiposity, may benefit from tracking metabolic health during their
collegiate career to mitigate obesity-related disease risk once retired from sport.
Key words
visceral fat - athlete - obesity
