Fat Mass and Lean Mass Changes Across a College Swim Season in Men and Women

Natalie L. Galluzzo
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentor

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) in swimmers during a competitive season.  College swimmers (12 female, 6 male) volunteered to be measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before training, at peak training, and before taper.   Repeated-measures ANOVA covarying out gender indicated there was a significant decrease in arm and leg FM from beginning of training to peak but no significant difference between peak and taper.  There was a significant increase in LM from beginning to peak training, with no significant change from peak to taper.  Despite the lack of significant different between peak and taper, both men and women loss LM in arms and legs.  The loss of FM and gain of LM resulted in no significant change in body weight across the year.  The effect of body composition changes on swim performance remains to be determined.

Keywords: Swimming, Body Fat, Lean mass, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, training, body composition

Topic(s):Exercise Science

Presentation Type: Poster

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA