Friday, August 22, 2014

Division IAA football players and risk factors for metabolic syndrome

Repovich, W. S. & Babcock, G. J. (2012).  Division IAA football players and risk factors for metabolic syndrome.  ICHPER-SD Journal of Research, 7(1), 34-39.
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study was to examine the correlations and significant differences in body composition and blood pressure between linemen, line backers, and all others.  The second
purpose was to determine  whether the assessments in this study would be able to classify
football players who might be at risk for MetS and eventually CVD.
Methods and Materials
Participants
            The participants of this study were 55 football players participating in the 2009 spring season.  Their average age was 20.31, with a standard deviation of 1.15, the average height was 1.85 meters.  There were 16 linebackers, 25 linemen from both offense and defense, and the rest were considered in the other category.           
Methods
            The research was conducted of a Division IAA sports program who was participating in the Big Sky Athletic Conference.  At the beginning of the 2009 spring season a meeting was held, and from this meeting they received permission through an informed consent form from 55 players.  Along with the consent the players agreed to be tested where the following data was collected: Height, weight (for BMI calculation), blood pressure, and body composition. 
The testing was done prior to afternoon spring practice.  Each participant had lunch without any carbonated drinks 1 hour before testing.  When participants arrived at the lab for testing they were placed in a BOD POD (10X10 room) closed off from the rest of the lab for a rest period of 5 minutes.  After the rest period their blood pressure was taken using a standard aneroid sphygogmomanometer.  Blood Pressure was measured while the participant was seated and the left arm was measured with the cuff.  Both the diastolic and systolic blood pressure was measured for data analysis.  Height was measured using a stadiometer on a Detecto Physician Scale. The weight was measured during the body composition analysis.  They used both height and weight measurements to determine the BMI of each participant.  Participants were also required to wear Under Armour compression shorts and a swim cap for measurement.  BF% and residual lung volume was also measured and recorded on the data sheet.
Summary of Results/Conclusions
            According to the study, the data suggest that other players on the team possess risk factors for MetS; however determining the risk for CVD is much more complicated.  The majority of the data fell into the norm and expectation for the players’ height, weight, and position.  In addition, finding a single elevated risk factor is not enough to necessarily need to be medically followed up with.  However, it is the recommendation from this study that athletic trainers or physicians should pay close attention to those players which have higher than normal body composition and/or blood pressure through a season and over players’ years of participation. 
Critique
            Being a linemen in football carries many pressures to sustain and develop a certain body image.  Linemen are expected to be taller and heavier than all other positions.  The results are they have a higher percentage of body fat, and they are more at risk of cardiovascular disease due to their size they are expected to carry.  These athletes need to be educated by coaches and health care providers that life after football needs to include a weight loss plan, and life style change to be health in the long term.
Application of the Study
            Studies such as these can be used and applied to assist athlete who are ending their careers as football linemen.  It can be difficult to change a certain kind of expectation and training that has been done for many years.  Sometimes it is more effective to view research to show how the impact of an increase body fat percentage can have on health.
Unanswered Questions

            The result of this also suggest that other players on the team with the lowest body composition also possess risk factors that could lead to CVD.  This left me wondering how much genetics and family health history played a role in the players with the lower body composition. .

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