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Body Composition Changes in College Athletes During Holiday Breaks
1Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine
|February 7, 2024
Summary
Male college athletes experienced increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and Fat Mass Index (FMI) during a longer COVID-19-extended winter break. Female athletes did not show significant changes, indicating potential sex-based differences in weight management during breaks.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Nutrition Science
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Holiday breaks often lead to weight gain due to altered eating and activity patterns.
- Collegiate athletes face unique challenges accessing facilities during breaks, exacerbating weight concerns.
- The COVID-19 pandemic created an unusually long winter break for many athletes in 2020.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), Fat Mass Index (FMI), and Muscle Mass Index (MMI) in college athletes.
- To compare these changes during an extended 2020 winter break versus a typical 2021 winter break.
- To investigate potential sex-based differences in body composition changes during these breaks.
Main Methods:
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis measured fat mass, muscle mass, and weight.
- Data collected from 124 athletes in 2020 (extended break) and 64 athletes in 2021 (usual break).
- ANCOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests analyzed differences in BMI, FMI, and MMI changes.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction between sex and break duration was found for BMI and FMI.
- Male athletes showed increased BMI and FMI during the extended break compared to other groups.
- No significant differences in Muscle Mass Index (MMI) changes were observed across conditions.
Conclusions:
- Extended holiday breaks may differentially impact male and female athletes' body composition.
- Further research is needed on body composition changes during other breaks and the role of diet and physical activity.
- Findings can inform strategies for athletic staff to support athlete body composition and performance during breaks.
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