Assessment of cardiovascular risk in collegiate football players and nonathletes

Devon A. Dobrosielski, Daryl Rosenbaum, Benjamin M. Wooster, Michael Merrill, John Swanson, J. Brian Moore, Peter H. Brubaker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Collegiate American football players may be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Objective: To compare cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular structure and function parameters of football players, stratified by position, to a group of sedentary, nonathletes. Participants: Twenty-six collegiate football players and 13 nonathletes participated in this study. Methods: Blood pressures, anthropometrics, and blood chemistries were obtained and analyzed using standardized procedures. Resting echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac morphology and function. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was assessed using high-resolution ultrasonography. Results: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher amongst the linemen compared to the skill-position players (46% versus 0%, p .05). Mildly abnormal wall thickness was noted in 20% of the football players. No significant differences in vascular function were observed between the groups. Conclusions: The increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in the collegiate linemen may increase cardiovascular disease risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)224-227
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • echocardiography
  • heart disease
  • metabolic syndrome
  • vascular function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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