Citation

Dengel DR, Bosch TA, Burruss TP, Fielding K, Engel B, Weir N, Weston TD. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2014; 28(1): 1-6.

Affiliation

1School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, 2Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, 3Green Bay Packers Professional Football Team, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54304 4GE Healthcare, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53718.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000000299

PMID

24149760

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the body composition of National Football League (NFL) players prior to the start of the regular season. Four hundred and eleven NFL players were measured for height, weight as well as lean, fat and bone mass using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects were categorized by their offensive or defensive position for comparison. On average positions that mirror each other (i.e., offensive lineman [OL] vs. defensive lineman [DL]) have very similar body composition. Although OL had more fat mass than DL they were similar in total as well as upper and lower lean mass. Linebackers (LB) and running backs (RB) were similar for all measures of fat and lean mass. Tight ends (TE) were unique in that they were similar to RB and LB on measures of fat mass; however they had greater lean mass than both RB and LB and upper body lean mass that was similar to OL. Quarterbacks (QB) and punters/kickers (PK) were similar in fat and lean masses. All positions had normal levels of bone mineral density. The DXA allowed us to measure differences in lean mass between arms and legs for symmetry assessments. Although most individuals had similar totals of lean mass in each leg and or arms there were outliers who may be at risk for injury. The data presented demonstrate not only differences in total body composition, but also show regional body composition differences that may provide positional templates.

Keywords: American football;

Language: en