Changes in body size of elite high school football players: 1963-1989

An examination of the heights and weights of members of the Parade Magazine's High School All-American Football Teams from 1963-1971 indicates no significant changes in the Body Mass Index of these elite athletes whereas an increased pattern in Body Mass Index was noted within this group from 1972-1989. The large increases in Body Mass Index after 1971 among the All-American high school football players raise interesting research questions; in particular, what portion of these gains can be attributed to improved nutrition and training techniques and what portion is the result of use of performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids?