BMI changes in high school football linemen transitioning from senior year to college
Citation
Larson, Russell C. & Patterson, Jeremy A.(2007). BMI changes in high school football linemen transitioning from senior year to college. In Proceedings : 3rd Annual Symposium : Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS : Wichita State University, p.181-182
Abstract
An elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) has been
linked to increasing risk factors for developing cardiovascular
disease and other life threatening conditions such as diabetes.
In addition, the rate of this increase can intensify risk factors
and increase the difficulty of weight loss. OBJECTIVE: To
identify BMI increases among the 2005 graduating class of 5A
and 6A high school football lineman as they enter into a
Division I college program during the 2006 season.
METHODS: Rosters from 2005 High School (HS) seniors in
the Wichita area and incoming 2006 freshmen in Division I
college football programs (COL) were used to retrieve the
height and weight of linemen. These values were then used to
determine height and weight of the incoming class of 2006
linemen. This data was used to determine the BMI (wt / ht2) of
each athlete; comparisons were made between the HS and
COL linemen regarding BMI risk factor stratifications.
RESULTS: A significant difference between all categories
was reported, the height difference between the groups was 2
inches (increase of 2.7%, p≤0.05), weight increased by 34
pounds (increase of 13.3%, p≤0.01). BMI of lineman
increased by 8.4% (28.69 ± 3.71 to 31.31 ± 3.38).
CONCLUSION: Results suggest that football lineman shifted
from a BMI classification of ‘overweight’ in high school to a
classification of ‘category I obesity’ during their transition
from high school to their first collegiate weigh-in. The rapid
gain in weight increases the athletes’ risk factor levels from
low to moderate in a matter of months.
Description
Paper presented to the 3rd Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 27, 2007.
Research completed at Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies, College of Education