Proceedings of the Twentieth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo.

Abstract

Background: Previous research demonstrates body composition comparisons relative to their dominant arm vs non-dominant arm in collegiate baseball players. Further research demonstrates body composition comparisons relative to their position in collegiate baseball players. Though there is a vast amount of literature on nonprofessional baseball players, there is little research that analyzes body composition in professional baseball players. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare body composition variables by position in professional baseball players. We hypothesize that differences will exist in body mass and composition between positions. Methods: 178 (n = 60 Infield, n = 23 Outfield, n = 95 Pitcher) professional baseball players (22.3 ± 3.1 yrs.; 184.8 ± 6.7 cm) were used for the current study. The assessment was collected in a noninvasive bioelectric impedance analyzer machine (InBody770), in which the athlete stepped on the scale in the morning, before eating for at least 2 hours prior to the assessment and was well hydrated. Hydration levels were measured through an osmolality meter (Atago PAL-mOsm) with a score of no higher than 600 mOsmol/ kgH2O. One-Way ANOVA was utilized to analyze the main effects of the group. The Bonferroni Post Hoc analysis was utilized to compare positions, and significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: There is a significant main effect of the group for body fat percentage (BF) (P = .007), body weight (BW) (P < .001), fat-free mass (FFM) (P < .001), and fat mass (FM)