Abstract
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), body composition, and physical activity levels are effective ways to evaluate an athlete’s fitness and performance potential. We compared theses fitness and performance levels across three different groups of athletes: Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets, Collegiate athletes, and Masters athletes (n=77, all participants combined). This is an ongoing study; the data represent only a portion of the total participants evaluated and of the variables examined. These participants were evaluated in January through August of 2014. PURPOSE: To compare the physical fitness profiles of ROTC Cadets, Collegiate athletes, and Masters athletes at Drexel University and in the surrounding area. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, VO2max, body composition, and physical activity levels (via accelerometry) were measured in all three groups. RESULTS: There were 17 ROTC Cadets (13 males, 4 females; 21.0 ± 1.17 years of age; body mass index [BMI] = 24.56 ± 1.98 kg/m2); 27 Collegiate athletes (17 males, 10 females; 21.82 ± 2.13 years of age; BMI = 23.63 ± 3.24 kg/m2); 33 Masters athletes (16 males, 17 females; 40.57 ± 10.62 years of age; BMI = 25.26 ± 2.95 kg/m2). ROTC cadets and Collegiate athletes had significantly higher VO2max (p=0.0001) and lower percent body fat (p=0.003) compared to Masters athletes. In males, VO2max was significantly higher (p=0.020) and percent body fat was significantly lower (p=0.027) in ROTC cadets and Collegiate athletes compared to Masters athletes. In females, there was a trend for VO2max (p=0.084) to be greater in ROTC cadets and Collegiate athletes compared to Masters athletes. There were no significant differences between the three groups of athletes in energy expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our population, ROTC cadets and Collegiate athletes have similar fitness variables, while Masters athletes have higher percent body fat and lower VO2max. Similar trends were found between males and females, respectively.
Published Version
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