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Int J Sports Med 2019; 40(10): 645-649
DOI: 10.1055/a-0962-1283
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Total and Regional Body Composition of NCAA Division I Collegiate Female Softball Athletes

Madeline A. Czeck
1   School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
,
Christiana J. Raymond-Pope
1   School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
,
Philip R. Stanforth
2   Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
,
Aaron Carbuhn
3   Medical Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, United States
,
Tyler A. Bosch
4   Educational Technology Innovations, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
,
Christopher W. Bach
5   Nebraska Athletic Performance Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, United States
,
Jonathan M. Oliver
6   Department of Kinesiology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, United States
,
Donald R. Dengel
1   School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 17 June 2019

Publication Date:
23 July 2019 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate total, regional, and throwing versus non-throwing arm body composition measures across the 4 major positions of NCAA Division I female softball players using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (n=128). Total and regional total mass (TM), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and visceral adipose tissue were measured. Athletes were separated into: pitchers (n=32), catchers (n=13), outfielders (n=39), and infielders (n=44). ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD assessed total and regional differences between positions. Although no significant total or regional LM differences were observed across positions, outfielders had significantly (p=0.006–0.047) lower total-body, arm, and trunk TM and FM, leg FM, and leg BMC in comparison to pitchers. The throwing arm had significantly (p<0.0001–0.018) greater LM, BMD, and BMC than the non-throwing arm for all positions. Notably, there were minimal body composition differences among softball positions, with the primary differences being that pitchers had larger total and regional fat values than outfielders. The throwing arm of all positions had greater LM, BMD, and BMC than the non-throwing arm. These values can be used by coaches and trainers as descriptive DXA data for collegiate softball players.

Key words

dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) - visceral adipose tissue - bone mineral density
 

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