Abstract
This study explored body composition in female NCAA Division I rowers compared to
controls; and the effect of season, boat category, and oar side on body
composition. This retrospective analysis of 91 rowers, and 173 age, sex, and
BMI-matched controls examined total and regional fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM),
bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), percent body fat
(%BF), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured using dual X-ray
absorptiometry. Two-sample t-testing was used to assess differences between
rowers and controls. Repeated measures ANOVA analyzed differences across
seasons. ANOVA analyzed differences between boat categories. Paired t-testing
analyzed oar side versus non-oar side. Rowers had greater height (174.2;
164.1 cm), weight (75.2; 62.6 kg), LM (51.97; 41.12 kg),
FM (20.74; 19.34 kg), BMC (2.82; 2.37 kg), and BMD (1.24;
1.14 g/cm2); but lower %BF
(30.5%; 27.1%), and VAT (168.1; 105.0 g) than controls
(p<0.05). Total, arm, and trunk muscle-to-bone ratio were
greater in rowers (p<0.001). Rowers demonstrated greater arm LM
(5.8 kg; 5.6 kg) and BMC (0.37 kg; 0.36 kg) in
Spring compared to Fall (p<0.05). 1V8 rowers had a lower
%BF than non-scoring rowers (25.7%; 29.0%;
p=0.025). No differences observed between oar sides. These
findings will help rowing personnel better understand body composition of female
collegiate rowers.
Key words
dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) - muscle-to-bone ratio (MBR) - athlete - lean mass
- bone mineral density - visceral adipose tissue
