Body Composition Relates Poorly to Performance in NCAA Division III Football Players

We assessed body composition (height, body mass, body mass index, body fat by densitometry, fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean/fat ratio) and performance (10- and 40-yd sprints, pro shuttle run, vertical jump, sit and reach, and bench press) in 77 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III football players. Data were analyzed by position and playing status. Significant differences (p less than or equal to 0.05) were found between positions for all body composition measurements and all performance tests except the sit and reach. Starters outperformed nonstarters in all performance tests except the 10-yd sprint and sit and reach (p less than or equal to 0.05). Correlations (r) for percent body fat and performance tests ranged from 0.52 to 0.70, and common variance with the effects of body mass removed ranged from 8 to 23%. Percent body fat is not closely correlated with results of commonly administered performance tests in Division III football players