Body Composition Values Of Division 1 Men's Lacrosse Players Derived From Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Abstract

Total and regional body compositions are key components of sport performance. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) allows for precise measurements of body composition parameters between athletes who experience different competitive demands. Yet, accurate interpretation of DXA data is dependent on the availability of reference values. Despite the widespread use of DXA to measure body composition in collegiate athletes, positional reference values for men’s lacrosse do not exist. PURPOSE: To generate descriptive data for total and regional body composition in men’s collegiate lacrosse players using DXA, and examine differences between positions. METHODS: Members of an NCAA Division 1 Men’s Lacrosse team underwent DXA scanning and were categorized according to position. Descriptive statistics were calculated for total and regional body composition measures and differences between positions were examined using a one-way ANOVA or a Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: A total of 98 players (age: 19.2±1.0yrs; height: 181.1±7.0cm; total mass: 82.4±9.2kg) completed the study (Attack; n=24, Midfield; n=44, Defense; n=25, Goalkeeper; n=6). The mean total body fat percentage (BF%) was 18.9±3.4% (range: 11.0-27.6). No differences in BF% between positions were identified (Attack=18.9±3.9%, Midfield=18.8±4.2%, Defense=18.9±3.7%, GK=20.5±2.9%; p=0.79). For the android region, no differences between positions were identified for fat mass (Attack=1.0±0.5kg, Midfield=1.0±0.5kg, Defense=0.9±0.4kg, GK=1.1±0.5kg; p=0.9), or lean mass (Attack=4.3±0.5kg, Midfield=4.3±0.4kg, Defense=4.4±0.3kg, GK=4.4±0.8kg; p=0.7). For the gynoid region, no differences between positions were noted for fat mass (Attack=2.6±0.8kg, Midfield=2.5±0.9kg, Defense=2.7±0.8kg, GK=03.1±1.1kg; p=0.48), or lean mass (Attack=10.3±1.6kg, Midfield=10.4±1.0kg, Defense=10.5±0.7kg, GK=10.4±1.4 kg; p=0.79). CONCLUSION: Total and regional body composition measures did not vary across positions in a group of men’s collegiate lacrosse players. These data suggest that the athletic demands across positions of men’s collegiate lacrosse are not related to differences in body composition. Therefore, training programs tailored to specific positions may not be needed in order to achieve athletic success.