Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is considered the leading cause of death around the world, with risk factors including obesity and hypertension. Collegiate American Style Football (ASF) players make up a unique subset of the population that could be at an increased risk of CVD. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in a Division 1 ASF team. Methods: The researchers analyzed the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and body fat percentage (BF%) of the team as a whole (n=38); and then compared the data to validated cut-off measurements for obesity and hypertension. Additionally, the participants were split into linemen (n=14) and non-linemen (n=24) groups and compared using an independent t-test. Results: The overall team analysis showed all the mean measurements fell below the validated cut-offs of 102cm, 25%, 30kg/m2,130mm Hg, and 80mm Hg. In the linemen group, the WC, BF%, SBP and BMI met or exceed the validated cut-offs, while the DBP was below its cut-off. In the non-linemen group, the measurements all fell below the validated cut-offs. When comparing the two groups, the WC, BF%, and BMI measurements of the linemen were significantly higher than the non-linemen (p Conclusion: The linemen athletes had an increased risk of CVD development due to the presence of measurements indicating obesity and hypertension in this population.
| Date of Award | Mar 10 2021 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Nadine Mikati (Supervisor) & Sophie Pomrehn (Advisor) |
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