Changes in Anthropometry, Upper-Body Strength, and Nutrient Intake in Professional Australian Football Players During a Season

Jul 29, 2015International journal of sports physiology and performance

Changes in Body Measurements, Upper-Body Strength, and Nutrient Intake in Professional Australian Football Players During a Season

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Abstract

Fat mass decreased during the preseason for professional Australian Football players.

Fat-free soft-tissue mass (%FFSTM) increased during the preseason and remained constant thereafter.
Upper-body strength improved during the preseason and was maintained throughout the season.
Changes in upper-body fat-free soft-tissue mass were associated with changes in upper-body strength performance (r = .37-.40).
Dietary intakes of total energy and carbohydrates were similar between experienced and inexperienced players during the season.
Inexperienced players consumed a higher ratio of dietary fat at the start of the preseason and less total protein during the season compared to experienced players.
It may take more than one year to develop appropriate levels of fat-free soft-tissue mass in young players.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the seasonal changes in body composition, nutrition, and upper-body (UB) strength in professional Australian Football (AF) players. The prospective longitudinal study examined changes in anthropometry (body mass, fat-free soft-tissue mass [FFSTM], and fat mass) via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry 5 times during an AF season (start preseason, midpreseason, start season, midseason, end season) in 45 professional AF players. Dietary intakes and strength (bench press and bench pull) were also assessed at these time points. Players were categorized as experienced (>4 y experience, n = 23) or inexperienced (<4 y experience, n = 22). Fat mass decreased during the preseason but was stable through the in-season for both groups. %FFSTM was increased during the preseason and remained constant thereafter. UB strength increased during the preseason and was maintained during the in-season. Changes in UB FFSTM were related to changes in UB-strength performance (r = .37-.40). Total energy and carbohydrate intakes were similar between the experienced and inexperienced players during the season, but there was a greater ratio of dietary fat intake at the start-preseason point and an increased alcohol, reduced protein, and increased total energy intake at the end of the season. The inexperienced players consumed more fat at the start of season and less total protein during the season than the experienced players. Coaches should also be aware that it can take >1 y to develop the appropriate levels of FFSTM in young players and take a long-term view when developing the physical and performance abilities of inexperienced players.

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Changes in Anthropometry, Upper-Body Strength, and Nutrient Intake in Professional Australian Football Players During a Season

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