title: The relationship between body composition and preseason performance tests of collegiate male lacrosse players.
abstract: Numerous studies have examined the effects that body composition has on performance in football, soccer, and ice hockey; yet, there are no similar studies examining this relationship in men's lacrosse. The purpose of the study was to examine the physiological profiles and the relationship between body composition and performance in aerobic and anaerobic tests. Fifty-four (19.63 ± 1.21 years; 178.53 ± 6.17 cm; 81.66 ± 14.96 kg) Division III intercollegiate athletes participated. Performance tests, including a 1 repetition maximum power clean (PC), body weight (lbs), bench press repetitions, parallel bar triceps dips to fatigue (DR), two 300-yard shuttles, and a 1-mile run (MT), were completed after the completion of fall preseason practices. Body composition was estimated using air-displacement plethysmography. Correlation coefficients determined relationships between percent body fat (%BF), fat-free mass (FFM), and testing variables. Increased %BF was negatively correlated to DR (r = -0.36, p = 0.01) whereas positively correlated to each 300-yard shuttle time (T1 and T2), total 300-yard shuttle time (TT), and MT (r = 0.64, p = 0.00; r = 0.68, p = 0.00; r = 0.69, p = 0.00; and r = 0.44, p = 0.00, respectively). Increased FFM was positively correlated with PC (r = 0.58, p = 0.00) yet not correlated (p ≥ 0.05) with other variables. Results indicated that increased %BF might be a detriment to the repetitive anaerobic performance and aerobic capacity vital to on-field lacrosse performance. Body composition also demonstrated a significant relationship to moving internal vs. external resistances.
authors.affiliation: Departments of 1Exercise Physiology; 2Athletic; and 3Health and Physical Education, Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Virginia; and 4Department of Exercise Science and Sports Studies, Springfield College, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silberlicht
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perzinski
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010991:Plethysmography; D015865:Racquet Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult