Key result
The COVID-19 stay-at-home order was associated with a significant increase in total lean mass (mean difference 0.80 kg, P=0.016) among NCAA Division I football players.
Why the study?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced collegiate athletes to train at home without access to facilities, prompting an evaluation of the stay-at-home order's effect on Division I football players' body composition.
Does the COVID-19 stay-at-home order affect body composition in NCAA Division I football players?
Observational (n=29)
Does the COVID-19 stay-at-home order affect body composition in NCAA Division I football players?
Mean Difference: 0.8
p-value: p=0.016
The COVID-19 stay-at-home order did not have a detrimental effect on the body composition of Division I football players, with a slight increase in total lean mass observed.
No major body composition detriment observed during lockdown; leaves open whether remote training maintains lean mass in elite athletes.
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic forced collegiate athletes to train at home, without access to facilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order on body composition of Division I Football Players, with a secondary aim to evaluate these changes between players with “higher” (>25 kg/m2) and “lower” (<25 kg/m2) Fat-Free Mass Index (kg/m2).METHODS: Body composition of 29 NCAA Division I Football Players (age=21.0±10 yr, Ht=186.7±5.6 cm, body mass=110.5±22.8 kg) were measured spring season (February) and prior to preseason (June). Whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were used to determine regional (arms, legs, trunk) and total body fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and fat-free mass (FFM). Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) was calculated as (LM+bone mineral content [BMC])/height2); participants were stratified by FFMI higher (N.=16) and lower (N.=13).RESULTS: Total LM (mean difference±standard error: 0.80±1.65 kg, P=0.016) increased from pre- to post-COVID stay-at-home. No significant changes in total FM were seen. Players with lower FFMI showed a significant decrease in trunk FM (-0.55±0.19 kg, P=0.016). Players with higher FFMI showed a significant increase in total LM (0.96±0.42 kg, P=0.038).CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest no detrimental effect on body composition.
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Gordon et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Healthy athletes (NCAA Division I Football Players) (n=29). COVID-19 stay-at-home order vs. Pre-COVID-19 baseline was evaluated on Total lean mass (LM) (MD 0.80, p=0.016). The COVID-19 stay-at-home order was associated with a significant increase in total lean mass (mean difference 0.80 kg, P=0.016) among NCAA Division I football players.
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