Changes in body composition and physique of elite university‐level female swimmers during a competitive season

Body composition and power are impactful variables of athletic performance. However, few studies have assessed power and body composition changes from pre-, to mid-, to end-of-season in American Football linebackers. The purpose of this study was to determine how power and body composition respond to a competitive season in Division I Football Championship Series (FCS) American football linebackers. Participants (n=9; Age=19.7 ± 1.5 years; Weight=101.5±11.6 kg; Height=183.3±5.2 cm; [Body Fat percent (BF %) =21.31 ± 6.02%)] performed a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, and power was assessed via three vertical jumps and squat jumps at 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg at three time points: a) 1 week prior to their regular season, b) 2 days after the bye week in the middle of the season, and c) 1 week prior to the completion of the season. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in power or body composition. These results support past research, indicating power and body composition can be maintained throughout a competitive season. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal programming methods to maintain or improve athletic performance via optimization of body composition and power during a competitive season.

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Dietary Intakes Differ by Body Composition Goals: An Observational Study of Professional Rugby Union Players in New Zealand

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988319891350 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 155798831989135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katherine E. Black ◽

Chloe Hindle ◽

Rebecca McLay-Cooke ◽

Rachel C. Brown ◽

Claire Gibson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Body Composition ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Intensive Training ◽

Competitive Season ◽

Weight Loss Group ◽

Rugby Players

Preseason in rugby union is a period of intensive training where players undergo conditioning to prepare for the competitive season. In some cases, this includes modifying body composition through weight gain or fat loss. This study aimed to describe the macronutrient intakes of professional rugby union players during pre-season training. It was hypothesized that players required to gain weight would have a higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake compared to those needing to lose weight. Twenty-three professional rugby players completed 3 days of dietary assessment and their sum of eight skinfolds were assessed. Players were divided into three groups by the team coaches and medical staff: weight gain, weight maintain and weight loss. Mean energy intakes were 3,875 ± 907 kcal·d−1 (15,965 ± 3,737 kJ·d−1) (weight gain 4,532 ± 804 kcal·d−1; weight maintain 3,825 ± 803 kcal·d−1; weight loss 3,066 ± 407 kcal·d−1) and carbohydrate intakes were 3.7 ± 1.2 g·kg−1·d−1 (weight gain 4.8 ± 0.9 g.kg−1·d−1; weight maintain 2.8 ± 0.7 g·kg−1·d−1; weight loss 2. 6 ± 0.7 g·kg−1·d−1). The energy and carbohydrate intakes are similar to published intakes among rugby union players. There were significant differences in energy intake and the percent of energy from protein between the weight gain and the weight loss group.

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Three-Compartment Body Composition Changes in Professional Rugby Union Players Over One Competitive Season: A Team and Individualised Approach

Journal of Clinical Densitometry ◽

10.1016/j.jocd.2016.08.064 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 541

Author(s):

Matthew J. Lees ◽

Brian Oldroyd ◽

Ben Jones ◽

Amy Brightmore ◽

Matthew J. Barlow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Rugby Union ◽

Competitive Season ◽

Composition Changes

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Analysis of Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Female Athletes over a Competitive Season

Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine ◽

10.26773/mjssm.2017.09.008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 57-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Svetlana Nepocatych ◽

◽

Gytis Balilionis ◽

Eric K. O'Neal ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Competitive Season

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The effects of 14-week betaine supplementation on endocrine markers, body composition and anthropometrics in professional youth soccer players: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s12970-021-00417-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hadi Nobari ◽

Mehdi Kargarfard ◽

Vazgen Minasian ◽

Jason M. Cholewa ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Double Blind ◽

Significant Group ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Competitive Season ◽

Betaine Supplementation

Abstract Objective Betaine supplementation may enhance body composition outcomes when supplemented chronically during an exercise program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of betaine supplementation on development-related hormones, body composition, and anthropometrics in professional youth soccer players during a competitive season. Methods Twenty-nine players (age, 15.45 ± 0.25 years) were matched based upon position and then randomly assigned to a betaine group (2 g/day; n = 14, BG) or placebo group (PG, n = 15). All subjects participated in team practices, conditioning, and games. If a subject did not participate in a game, a conditioning protocol was used to ensure workload was standardized throughout the 14-week season. Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), testosterone, cortisol, height, weight, and body composition were assessed at pre-season (P1), mid-season (P2) and post-season (P3). Anthropometric variables were also measured following a one-year follow-up (F). Results Significant (p < 0.05) group x time interactions were found for testosterone and testosterone to cortisol ratio (T/C). Both variables were greater in BG at P2 and P3 compared to P1, however, the testosterone was less in the PG at P3 compared to P2. There was no significant group by time interactions for GH, IGF-1, lean body mass, or body fat. There was a significant (p < 0.05) group x time interaction in height and weight at F, with the greater increases in BG compared to PG. Conclusion Betaine supplementation increased testosterone levels and T/C ratio in youth professional soccer players during a competitive season. Betaine supplementation had no negative effects on growth (height and weight) and may attenuate reductions in testosterone due to intense training during puberty.

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