Body Composition Indices Assessed by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Male Athletes from Different Sports

Abstract

Body composition is an important factor in monitoring and improving sports performance, nutrition, and injuries. In this study, the body composition parameters and lean mass indices of male athletes participating in different sports were compared. This retrospective study included a total of 105 male athletes (age: 21.8 ± 3.0 years; body mass index [BMI]: 24.4 ± 4.0 kg/m²) from eight different sports disciplines (football = 21; American football = 12; volleyball = 19; taekwondo = 17; swimming = 11; weightlifting = 7; capoeira = 10; rowing = 8) Participants' body weights and heights were measured, and their total and regional body compositions were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A one-way ANOVA was used to identify differences among sport disciplines, and post hoc tests were applied to parameters showing significant differences. It was determined that weightlifters were significantly shorter than athletes in all other sports, while volleyball players were taller than athletes in all other sports (p<0.05). American football players had significantly higher body weight and BMI than athletes in all other sports (p<0.05). In addition, American football players had significantly higher fat mass than football, volleyball, and capoeira players (p<0.05). The appendicular lean mass of American football players were significantly greater than those of athletes competing in football, volleyball, and weightlifting (p<0.05). Moreover, the appendicular lean mass index was also significantly higher compared with football and volleyball players (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed between other sports (p>0.05). In conclusion, American football players had the highest values for appendicular lean mass and index, while varying levels of muscle mass distribution were observed among other sports. The findings indicate that sport-specific training has significant effects on body composition. Furthermore, individuals’ natural physical characteristics may be an important factor shaping the likelihood of success in specific sports.

Keywords

• Body composition
• Appendicular mass
• Fat mass
• Athlete

Farklı Branşlardaki Erkek Sporcularda Çift Enerjili X-Işını Absorpsiyometrisi ile Değerlendirilen Vücut Kompozisyonu İndekslerinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Vücut kompozisyonu, spor performansının, beslenmenin, spor yaralanmalarının izlenmesinde ve iyileştirilmesinde önemli faktörlerden biridir. Bu çalışmada, farklı spor branşlarında yer alan erkek sporcuların vücut kompozisyonu parametreleri ile yağsız yumuşak doku kütle indeksleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Retrospektif olarak gerçekleştirilen bu çalışmaya sekiz farklı branştan (futbol = 21; Amerikan futbolu = 12; voleybol = 19; taekwondo = 17; yüzme = 11; halter = 7; capoeira = 10; kürek = 8) toplam 105 erkek sporcu (yaş: 21,8  3,0 yıl; beden kütle indeksi [BKİ]: 24,4  4,0 kg/m2) dahil edilmiştir. Katılımcıların vücut ağırlıkları ve boy uzunlukları ölçülmüş, toplam ve bölgesel vücut kompozisyonları çift enerjili x-ışını absorpsiyometrisi ile belirlenmiştir. Branşlar arasındaki farklılıkları belirlemek amacıyla tek yönlü ANOVA testi, farklılık çıkan parametreler için ise post hoc testler uygulanmıştır. Haltercilerin boy uzunluklarının, diğer tüm branşlardaki sporculardan anlamlı düzeyde daha kısa; voleybolcuların ise diğer tüm branşlardaki sporculardan daha uzun olduğu belirlenmiştir (p<0,05). Amerikan futbolcularının vücut ağırlıklarının ve BKİ değerlerinin diğer tüm branşlardaki sporculardan anlamlı olarak daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Ayrıca Amerikan futbolcularının yağ kütlesi, futbol, voleybol ve capoeira sporcularına kıyasla anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksektir (p<0,05). Amerikan futbolcularının apendiküler yağsız yumuşak doku kütleleri; futbol, voleybol ve halter branşlarındaki sporculardan anlamlı olarak daha yüksek (p<0,05); apendiküler yağsız yumuşak doku kütle indeksleri ise futbolcu ve voleybolculardan anlamlı olarak yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Diğer branşlar arasında anlamlı farklılık görülmemiştir (p>0,05). Sonuç olarak, Amerikan futbolcuları, apendiküler yağsız yumuşak doku kütlesi ve indeksi açısından en yüksek değerlere sahipken, diğer branşlar arasında değişen düzeylerde kas kütlesi dağılımı gözlenmiştir. Bulgular, spor branşına özgü antrenmanların vücut kompozisyonu üzerinde belirgin etkileri olduğunu göstermektedir. Bunun yanı sıra, bireylerin doğal fiziksel özellikleri de branşa özgü başarı olasılığını şekillendiren önemli bir faktör olabilir.

Keywords

• Vücut kompozisyonu
• Apendiküler kütle
• Yağ kütlesi
• Sporcu

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