Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nutrition and Food Science

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

 

Over the last decade, performance nutrition has advanced significantly at the professional and collegiate levels; however, research examining body composition in Division I collegiate football is limited. This study expands the literature by evaluating longitudinal changes in body composition across two time points in a competitive season, exploring race, and assessing isolated appendicular components. The purpose of this investigation was to determine seasonal changes from pre-season to post-season in whole body and appendicular components (total mass, fat and lean) and bone mineral density. A DXA scanner was used to assess these collegiate players at a Division I university. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is the gold standard for measuring body composition. The study hypothesized that linemen and nonlinemen would lose body mass from pre-season to postseason.  If not, it could be inferred that the football program's nutritional and other interventions were adequate to prevent losses in body composition. Data was collected from 2017 to 2022 from 111 NCAA Division I football players for pre- and post-season. Inclusion of a player required at least two scans, with one in each time component. Players were categorized as linemen (offense and defense) and all other positions as non-linemen. Data were de-identified prior to the analysis to evaluate the main effects of time, position, and race, and the interactions of time x race, time x position, and position x race using a linear mixed model with a post hoc multiple t-test. The main effect of time was significant for whole body fat mass and appendicular fat mass. Expected differences were observed by position and by position x race for all whole-body and appendicular components, total mass, fat, and lean. Players demonstrated reductions in fat mass and appendicular fat mass across the season, specifically among linemen, while lean mass remained stable. Additionally, race did not show consistent changes across positional groups, except for differences in whole-body bone mineral density. Linemen had significantly less whole-body fat and appendicular fat mass compared to non-linemen. However, the overall hypothesis that all players lose total body mass is not fully supported, as only whole-body fat mass and appendicular fat mass were significant over time. All other components remained stable, indicating that the nutrition and other practices by the football program staff maintained body mass from pre- to post-season.

Date

3-27-2026

Committee Chair

Mike Keenan

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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Available for download on Friday, March 25, 2033

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