THE EFFECT OF TRAINING AND NUTRITION ON THE BODY COMPOSITION OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

The body size of American football players has changed over time. The known health implications of overweight and obesity make it important for football players to understand how to increase size without increasing body fat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an increased emphasis on training and nutrition on the body composition of college football players. The sample included 68 football players. Paired t-tests were performed to compare percent fat and body mass index (BMI) at three points in time, all of which were during the off-season. A significant decrease in percent fat and BMI was found from January of 2013 to May of 2013 and a non-significant increase in percent fat and BMI was found from May of 2013 to August of 2013. A significant decrease in percent fat and BMI was found for the duration of the data collection period, or between January of 2013 and August of 2013. Results suggest that increasing the emphasis on training and nutrition among college football players leads to the improvement of body composition