Relationship Between Body Mass, Vo2max, And Running Performance In Collegiate Football Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), body mass (total mass, fat mass, and fat-free mass), and two-mile run performance in collegiate football players. METHODS: Fifty-seven male collegiate football players [mean (SD) age 20.3 (1.1) years, height 184.4 (1.6) cm, and mass 112.1 (17.1) kg] participated in this study. The absolute (l·min-1) and relative (ml·kg-1·min-1) VO2max was determined via treadmill running using a continuous grade-incremented protocol at a speed of 188 m·min-1. Total body mass (BM) was measured using a digital scale. Fat mass (FM) was estimated using air displacement plethysmography; fat free mass (FFM) was estimated as the difference between BM and FM. Two-mile run time (RT) was obtained according to the standards established by the Army Physical Fitness Test. RESULTS: BM values ranged between 79.7-141.9 kg, while FM and FFM values ranged between 13.4-43.0 kg and 67.8-116.1 kg, respectively. Absolute and relative VO2max values varied between 3.15-6.39 l·min-1 and 26.0-55.9 ml·kg-1·min-1, respectively. RT values ranged between 12.1-24.5 min. Absolute VO2max was correlated with BM (r=0.66, P<0.01), FM (r=0.42, P<0.01), and FFM (r=0.76, P<0.01). Relative VO2max was negatively correlated with BM (r=-0.47, P<0.01) and FM (r=-0.59, P<0.01); there was no correlation with FFM (r=-0.19). RT was correlated with BM (r=0.76, P<0.01), FM (r=0.75, P<0.01), and FFM (r=0.54, P<0.01). In addition, RT was correlated with absolute VO2max (r=0.33, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with relative VO2max (r=-0.55, P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis, using RT as the dependent variable and absolute or relative VO2max and BM, FM or FFM as independent variables yielded the following prediction equation: RT = -1.092(absolute VO2max) + 0.139(BM) + 6.62. CONCLUSIONS: Two-mile running performance in collegiate football players was highly correlated with BM and FM, moderately correlated with FFM and relative VO2max, and weakly correlated with absolute VO2max. This investigation was funded in part by PEO Soldier, Grant AHS-1131.