Incidence and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Track and Field Throwing Athletes

Track and field (T&F) throwers are a prominent subgroup of athletes that may be at risk for the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) and other cardiometabolic disease conditions. However, limited research exists examining the prevalence of MetSyn in these athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of MetSyn and associated risk factors in collegiate throwers. Collegiate Division I men (n=17) and women (n=4) T&F throwers participated in a single day of lab assessments, which included anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, a venous blood draw, and aerobic capacity. MetSyn was diagnosed based on the following clinical markers: HDL, triglycerides, glucose, waist circumference, and blood pressure. MetSyn was present in 47% of men and 0% of women athletes. The most common risk factors were excessive waist circumference (men: 65%, women: 25%), reduced HDL (men: 59%, women: 50%), and elevated systolic blood pressure (men: 47%, women: 25%). BF% was associated with SBP (r=0.71), DBP (r=0.74), insulin (r=0.58), insulin resistance (r=0.58), triglycerides (r=0.51), and VO_2max (r=0.79) (p<0.05). This study observed a high incidence of MetSyn and other associated adverse cardiometabolic biomarkers in collegiate T&F throwers. Regular assessments of body composition and aerobic capacity may serve as practical and effective tools to identify at-risk athletes and guide targeted interventions aimed at reducing long-term cardiometabolic disease risk.