Comparisons of Lower-Body Muscular Function, Anthropometrics, and Body Composition Between Divisions I and III...

Montoye, AHK, Przepiora, M, Stauffer, T, Pfeiffer, KA, Curtis, K, Tolzman, J, Harkey, MS, and Burghardt, W. Comparisons of lower-body muscular function, anthropometrics, and body composition between Divisions I and III collegiate soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study compared anthropometric characteristics, lower-body muscular function, and body composition outcomes in collegiate Division I (DI) and Division III (DIII) men's and women's soccer players. Cross-sectional testing was conducted in 49 men and 43 women from 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association DI and DIII teams. Outcome measures included anthropometrics (height, weight), muscular function (countermovement jump height and power, eccentric hamstring maximal force, hip abduction, and adduction maximal force), and body composition (women only; total and regional bone mineral density, fat mass, lean mass). Two-way analysis of variance compared outcomes between divisions and across player positions. DI women were taller (∼1.7 cm) than DIII women, but no other anthropometric measures differed between divisions. DI women had significantly greater countermovement jump height (∼8 cm; 35%), absolute and relative jump power (∼12%), hip abduction strength (∼37%), and torso lean mass and lower body fat (23.6 vs. 28.4%) than DIII women. DI women had significantly lower bone mineral density in the arms and ribs and a lower Z-score (0.8 vs. 1.4), though all values were within healthy ranges. DIII men had higher absolute and relative jump power (∼5-9%) than DI men, particularly because of defender-specific differences, while other muscular function measures did not differ by division. In summary, some division- and position-level differences existed in lower-body muscular function and body composition, particularly among women. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating athletic performance alongside health-related indicators and support sex- and position-specific approaches to athlete monitoring across collegiate divisions.