scholarly journals Anthropometrics and Body Composition Predict Physical Performance and Selection to Attend Special Forces Training in United States Army Soldiers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K Farina ◽  
Lauren A Thompson ◽  
Joseph J Knapik ◽  
Stefan M Pasiakos ◽  
James P McClung ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Anthropometrics and body composition characteristics differentiate many types of athletes and are related to performance on fitness tests and tasks in military personnel. Soldiers competing to enter elite units must demonstrate physical fitness and operational competence across multiple events. Therefore, this study determined whether anthropometrics and body composition predicted physical performance and selection for special forces training among soldiers attending the rigorous Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course. Materials and Methods Soldiers attending the SFAS course between May 2015 and March 2017 were enrolled in a longitudinal, observational study. Anthropometrics (height, body mass, and body mass index [BMI]; n = 795) and body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (percentage body fat, fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content [BMC], and bone mineral density [BMD]; n = 117) were assessed before the course start. Associations with physical performance were determined with correlation coefficients. Associations with selection were determined with analyses of variance and t-tests; effect sizes were calculated as Cohen’s d. The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB) initially approved this study, and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command IRB approved the continuing review. Results Lower percentage body fat and fat mass predicted better performance on all assessments: Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), pull-ups, SFAS run, loaded road march, obstacle course, and land navigation (P ≤ .05). Higher lean mass predicted better performance on the loaded road march (P ≤ .05). Lower body mass and BMI predicted better performance on APFT, pull-ups, run, and obstacle course; higher body mass and BMI predicted better performance on the loaded road march (P ≤ .05). Shorter stature predicted better performance on push-ups (APFT) and pull-ups; taller stature predicted better performance on SFAS run and loaded road march (P ≤ .05). On average, the selected soldiers were taller (179.0 ± 6.6 vs. 176.7 ± 6.7 cm), had higher body mass (85.8 ± 8.8 vs. 82.1 ± 9.6 kg), BMI (26.8 ± 2.2 vs. 26.3 ± 2.6 kg/m2), lean mass (67.2 ± 7.3 vs. 61.9 ± 7.6 kg), BMC (3.47 ± 0.40 vs. 3.29 ± 0.56 kg), and BMD (1.34 ± 0.10 vs. 1.28 ± 0.10 g/cm2), and lower percentage body fat (17.3 ± 3.4 vs. 20.1 ± 4.5%) and fat mass (14.2 ± 3.7 vs. 15.8 ± 4.4 kg) (P ≤ .05). Effect sizes were largest for lean mass (Cohen’s d = 0.71) and percentage body fat (d = 0.70), followed by BMD (d = 0.60), body mass (d = 0.40), fat mass (d = 0.39), BMC (d = 0.37), height (d = 0.35), and BMI (d = 0.21). Body mass adjustment attenuated associations between height and selection. Conclusions Anthropometrics and body composition are predictors of physical performance and SFAS success. Since these measures are modifiable (excluding height), they may be the focus of intervention studies aiming to improve performance in arduous military training courses, sports that require competition in multiple events, and occupations that have varied physical demands, such as firefighting, law enforcement, and construction.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (73) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrija Čapkauskienė ◽  
Kristina Visagurskienė ◽  
Rima Bakienė ◽  
Irena Vitkienė ◽  
Daiva Vizbaraitė

Childhood obesity is a key public health issue around the globe in developed and developing countries (Dugan, 2008). The recent worldwide increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity may be due in part to a decrease in children’s physical activity levels (Ball et al., 2001). It is necessary to develop early interventions to improve physical fitness in children and to prevent the increase of childhood obesity (Brunet et al., 2006). So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition and physical fitness of children aged 5—7 years and to estimate the interaction between body composition components and physical fitness tests. Participants: 216 children participated in this study: 104 girls, mean age 5.90 ± 0.63 years and 112 boys — mean age 5.98 ± 0.50 years from Kaunas city (Lithuania) preschools. Methods: all the subjects have been measured for their height, body mass, waist circumference (WC) and skinfolds at 2 different places — triceps and subscapular. Body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat mass (BFM) were evaluated. All the participants did four physical fitness tests including speed shuttle run, 20 meters distance run, standing long jump and throwing 1 kg ball. General physical fitness level was evaluated based on B. Sekita (1988) methods. Results. Results showed that BMI did not significantly differ between boys and girls, and was evaluated as “optimal” for both groups. BFM was significantly higher in girls (p < 0.001), and WC did not differ between genders. But WC had a tendency to increase with age in both boys and girls. Strong relationship was observed between BMI and BFM (r = 0.660, r = 0.660 respectively; p < 0.01), and between BMI and WC (r = 0.703, r = 0.826 respectively; p < 0.01) for both boys and girls. The results of physical tests showed that boys did all the tests better than girls (p < 0.01). When we evaluated the general physical fitness of each child, the results indicated that their physical fitness waslow, evaluated as “good enough” for most boys and girls. General physical fitness of children negatively but slightly correlated with BFM (r = –0.201; p < 0.001), it indicated that higher BFM determined lower evaluation of general physical fitness.Conclusions. Optimal body weight, according to body mass index, percentage body fat mass and waist circumference, was established for the bigger part of children, aged 5—7 years old. This study shows that physical fitness of children was low — evaluated as “good enough” and negatively correlated with body fat mass, showing that high body fat mass negatively impacted physical fitness.Key words: body mass index, percentage body fat mass, waist circumference, physical fitness.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Till ◽  
Ben Jones ◽  
John O’Hara ◽  
Matthew Barlow ◽  
Amy Brightmore ◽  
...  

Purpose:To compare the body size and 3-compartment body composition between academy and senior professional rugby league players using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).Methods:Academy (age 18.1 ± 1.1 y, n = 34) and senior (age 26.2 ± 4.6 y, n = 63) rugby league players received 1 total-body DXA scan. Height, body mass, and body-fat percentage alongside total and regional fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content (BMC) were compared. Independent t tests with Cohen d effect sizes and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), controlling for height and body mass, with partial eta-squared (η2) effect sizes, were used to compare total and regional body composition.Results:Senior players were taller (183.2 ± 5.8 vs 179.2 ± 5.7 cm, P = .001, d = 0.70) and heavier (96.5 ± 9.3 vs 86.5 ± 9.0 kg, P < .001, d = 1.09) with lower body-fat percentage (16.3 ± 3.7 vs 18.0 ± 3.7%, P = .032, d = 0.46) than academy players. MANCOVA identified significant overall main effects for total and regional body composition between academy and senior players. Senior players had lower total fat mass (P < .001, η 2 = 0.15), greater total lean mass (P < .001, η 2 = 0.14), and greater total BMC (P = .001, η 2 = 0.12) than academy players. For regional sites, academy players had significantly greater fat mass at the legs (P < .001, η 2 = 0.29) than senior players.Conclusions:The lower age, height, body mass, and BMC of academy players suggest that these players are still developing musculoskeletal characteristics. Gradual increases in lean mass and BMC while controlling fat mass is an important consideration for practitioners working with academy rugby league players, especially in the lower body.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Masoome Piri Damaghi ◽  
Atieh Mirzababaei ◽  
Sajjad Moradi ◽  
Elnaz Daneshzad ◽  
Atefeh Tavakoli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Essential amino acids (EAAs) promote the process of regulating muscle synthesis. Thus, whey protein that contains higher amounts of EAA can have a considerable effect on modifying muscle synthesis. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the effect of soy and whey protein supplementation on body composition. Thus, we sought to perform a meta-analysis of published Randomized Clinical Trials that examined the effect of whey protein supplementation and soy protein supplementation on body composition (lean body mass, fat mass, body mass and body fat percentage) in adults. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, up to August 2020, for all relevant published articles assessing soy protein supplementation and whey protein supplementation on body composition parameters. We included all Randomized Clinical Trials that investigated the effect of whey protein supplementation and soy protein supplementation on body composition in adults. Pooled means and standard deviations (SD) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was applied to discern possible sources of heterogeneity. Results: After excluding non-relevant articles, 10 studies, with 596 participants, remained in this study. We found a significant increase in lean body mass after whey protein supplementation weighted mean difference (WMD: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.15, 1.67. P= 0.019). Subgroup analysis, for whey protein, indicated that there was a significant increase in lean body mass in individuals concomitant to exercise (WMD: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.47, 2.00; P= 0.001). There was a significant increase in lean body mass in individuals who received 12 or less weeks of whey protein (WMD: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.63; P<0.0001). We observed no significant change between whey protein supplementation and body mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage. We found no significant change between soy protein supplementation and lean body mass, body mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage. Subgroup analysis for soy protein indicated there was a significant increase in lean body mass in individuals who supplemented for 12 or less weeks with soy protein (WMD: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.89; P< 0.0001). Conclusion: Whey protein supplementation significantly improved body composition via increases in lean body mass, without influencing fat mass, body mass, and body fat percentage.


Author(s):  
Clíodhna McHugh ◽  
Karen Hind ◽  
Aoife O'Halloran ◽  
Daniel Davey ◽  
Gareth Farrell ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate longitudinal body mass and body composition changes in one professional rugby union team (n=123), (i) according to position [forwards (n=58) versus backs (n=65)], analysis of players with 6 consecutive seasons of DXA scans (n=21) and, (iii) to examine differences by playing status [academy and international], over 7 years. Players [mean age: 26.8 y, body mass index: 28.9+kg.m2] received DXA scans at fourtime points within each year. A modest (but non-significant) increase in mean total mass (0.8 kg) for professional players was reflected by increased lean mass and reduced body fat mass. At all-time points, forwards had a significantly greater total mass, lean mass and body fat percentage compared to backs (p<0.05). Academy players demonstrated increased total and lean mass and decreased body fat percentage over the first 3 years of senior rugby, although this was not significant. Senior and academy international players had greater lean mass and lower body fat percentage (p<0.05) than non-international counterparts. Despite modest increases in total mass; reflected by increased lean mass and reduced fat mass, no significant changes in body mass or body composition, irrespective of playing position were apparent over 7 years.


2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi L. Petersen ◽  
C. Ted Peterson ◽  
Manju B. Reddy ◽  
Kathy B. Hanson ◽  
James H. Swain ◽  
...  

This study determined the effect of training on body composition, dietary intake, and iron status of eumenorrheic female collegiate swimmers (n = 18) and divers (n = 6) preseason and after 16 wk of training. Athletes trained on dryland (resistance, strength, fexibility) 3 d/wk, 1.5 h/d and in-water 6 d/wk, nine, 2-h sessions per week (6400 to 10,000 kJ/d). Body-mass index (kg/m2; P = 0.05), waist and hip circumferences (P ≤ 0.0001), whole body fat mass (P = 0.0002), and percentage body fat (P ≤ 0.0001) decreased, whereas lean mass increased (P = 0.028). Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, we found no change in regional lean mass, but fat decreased at the waist (P = 0.0002), hip (P = 0.0002), and thigh (P = 0.002). Energy intake (10,061 ± 3617 kJ/d) did not change, but dietary quality improved with training, as refected by increased intakes of fber (P = 0.036), iron (P = 0.015), vitamin C (P = 0.029), vitamin B-6 (P = 0.032), and fruit (P = 0.003). Iron status improved as refected by slight increases in hemoglobin (P = 0.046) and hematocrit (P = 0.014) and decreases in serum transferrin receptor (P ≤ 0.0001). Studies are needed to further evaluate body composition and iron status in relation to dietary intake in female swimmers.


Sports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Fields ◽  
Justin Merrigan ◽  
Jason White ◽  
Margaret Jones

The purpose of this study was to assess the body composition of male and female basketball athletes (n = 323) across season, year, and sport-position using air displacement plethysmography. An independent sample t-test assessed sport-position differences. An analysis of variance was used to assess within-subjects across season (pre-season, in-season, and off-season), and academic year (freshman, sophomore, and junior). For both men and women basketball (MBB, WBB) athletes, guards had the lowest body fat, fat mass, fat free mass, and body mass. No seasonal differences were observed in MBB, but following in-season play for WBB, a reduction of (p = 0.03) in fat free mass (FFM) was observed. Across years, MBB showed an increase in FFM from freshman to sophomore year, yet remained unchanged through junior year. For WBB across years, no differences occurred for body mass (BM), body fat (BF%), and fat mass (FM), yet FFM increased from sophomore to junior year (p = 0.009). Sport-position differences exist in MBB and WBB: Guards were found to be smaller and leaner than forwards. Due to the importance of body composition (BC) on athletic performance, along with seasonal and longitudinal shifts in BC, strength and conditioning practitioners should periodically assess athletes BC to ensure preservation of FFM. Training and nutrition programming can then be adjusted in response to changes in BC.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e93
Author(s):  
Julie A. Pasco ◽  
Haslinda Gould ◽  
Kara L. Holloway ◽  
Amelia G. Dobbins ◽  
Mark A. Kotowicz ◽  
...  

Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Oswaldo Ceballos-Gurrola ◽  
Fernando Bernal-Reyes ◽  
Marquelia Jardón-Rosas ◽  
María Cristina Enríquez-Reyna ◽  
Jesús Durazo- Quiroz ◽  
...  

Se propuso determinar la relación que existe entre la composición corporal y el rendimiento físico de jugadores de fútbol soccer universitario. Participaron 26 jugadores de sexo masculino con edad promedio de 20.7 años (DT = 1.7), pertenecientes a los equipos representativos de fútbol soccer de dos universidades mexicanas. Se midieron características morfológicas, de composición corporal y físicas para las posiciones de defensa, mediocampo y delantero. Se determinó el nivel de asociación entre las variables. Los resultados muestran que los defensas presentan mayor masa corporal, diámetro de húmero y circunferencia de cadera que los delanteros (p < .05), no así respecto a los jugadores de mediocampo. No se presenta diferencia en la expresión de las capacidades físicas y del porcentaje de masa grasa de los jugadores por posición de juego (p > .05). La masa grasa se asoció de manera directa con la velocidad (.427*, p < .05). Se encontraron diferencias en la masa ósea y corporal por posición de juego entre defensas, mediocampistas y delanteros. Los hallazgos sugieren la influencia de la composición corporal en el rendimiento físico de los participantes.  Abstract. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between body composition and physical performance in college soccer players. Twenty-six male players with an average age of 20.7 years (SD = 1.7), belonging to the representative soccer teams of two Mexican universities participated in the research. Morphological, body composition, and physical characteristics were measured for the defense, midfield, and forward positions. The level of association between variables was determined. The results show that defenders have greater body mass, humerus diameter, and hip circumference than forwards (p <. 05), whereas no differences were found in comparison to midfielders. There is no difference in players’ expression of physical abilities and percentage of fat mass by playing position (p > .05). Fat mass was directly associated with speed (.427 *, p < .05). Differences were found in bone and body mass by playing position between defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The findings hint at an influence of body composition on participants’ physical performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 576-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare R Wall ◽  
Rebecca J Hill ◽  
Amy L Lovell ◽  
Misa Matsuyama ◽  
Tania Milne ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Growing Up Milk (GUM) was developed to assist young children in meeting their nutritional requirements during the second year of life. However, there is limited evidence that GUM improves nutritional status and growth in young children. Objectives To evaluate the effect of consuming Growing Up Milk “Lite” (GUMLi) (reduced protein with synbiotics and micronutrients added) compared with standard cow milk as part of a whole diet for 1 y on body composition at 2 y of age. Methods GUMLi Trial was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted in Auckland and Brisbane. Healthy 1-y-olds were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either GUMLi or standard cow milk for 12 mo as part of a whole diet. The primary outcome was percentage body fat at 2 y of age measured by bioelectrical impedance. All regression models adjusted for baseline outcome and study center. Results 160 children (80 per arm) were randomly assigned, and 134 (67 per arm) were included in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. The mean percentage body fat at 12 mo was 23.3% (SD 7.9) in the GUMLi group and 25.7% (SD 7.2) in the cow milk group. After adjusting for baseline outcome and study location, the estimated mean difference in percentage body fat between the intervention and control at 12 mo was −2.19% (95% CI: −4.24, −0.15; P = 0.036). Per-protocol analysis showed a similar effect (mean difference: −2.09%; 95% CI: −4.16, −0.03; P = 0.047). Both fat mass and the fat mass index were significantly lower in the GUMLi group at 12 mo than in the cow milk group. Conclusions At 2 y of age, children who consumed a GUM with a lower protein content than cow milk over 12 mo had a lower percentage of body fat. This trial was registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12614000918628.


Author(s):  
Annegreet G Veldhuis-Vlug ◽  
Gina N Woods ◽  
Sigurdur Sigurdsson ◽  
Susan K Ewing ◽  
Phuong T Le ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations increase during the perimenopausal transition and remain high post menopause. Loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and gain of bone marrow adiposity (BMA) and body fat mass also occur during this time. In mice, blocking the action of FSH increases bone mass and decreases fat mass. Objective To investigate the associations between endogenous FSH levels and BMD, BMA and body composition in older adults, independent of estradiol and testosterone levels. Design, setting and participants Older adults from the AGES-Reykjavik Study, an observational cohort study. Main outcome measures Areal BMD, total body fat, and lean mass were measured with DXA. Lumbar vertebral BMA was measured by 1H-MRS. Volumetric BMD and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT, SAT) areas were measured with QCT. The least squares means procedure was used to determine sex-hormone adjusted associations between quartiles of serum FSH and BMD, BMA, and body composition. Results In women (N=238, mean age 81y), those in the highest FSH quartile, compared with the lowest quartile, had lower adjusted mean spine integral BMD (-8.6%), lower spine compressive strength index (-34.8%), higher BMA (+8.4%), lower weight (-8.4%), lower VAT (-17.6%), lower lean mass (-6.1%), and lower fat mass (-11.9%) (all P &lt; 0.05). In men, FSH level was not associated with any outcome. Conclusions Older postmenopausal women with higher FSH levels have higher BMA, but lower BMD and lower fat and lean mass, independent of estradiol and testosterone levels. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms.


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