The body composition of a college football team

Abstract

The body composition and anthropometric measurements of 65 college football players were studied. Body composition was determined by underwater weighing with an accurate assessment of residual volume. The anthropometric measurements included height, weight, seven skinfolds, waist circumference and wrist diameter. A step-wise multiple regression analysis of the data indicated that body density and body fat could be predicted from anthropometric measurements. A multiple correlation of .96 was found between body density and three independent variables (waist circumference, triceps skinfold and height). The derived regression equations' standard errors of the estimate were 0.0041 body density units and 1.64 percent fat respectively. The team data were divided into five categories by position. When subjected to analysis of variance, significant differences at the .01 level of confidence suggested that at least two separate groups, backs and linemen, be used in future body composition studies of football teams. The estimated optimal playing weights of each player were determined by densitometry, and each player and the coach estimated that their optimal weights through personal experience. It was found that the players and the coach estimated the players optimal mean weight by 9 and 6 pounds heavier, respectively, than the densitometric analysis indicated as optimal.