Method: This study utilized a GE Dual Energy X-Ray Bone Densitometry System (DEXA) to investigate the amount of fat vs. lean body tissue in the upper and lower limbs of a Division II basketball team (n=10). Each athlete signed an informed consent form and then underwent a full body scan. The system calculates bone density, fat mass, and lean mass for each body compartment. This study focused on the amount of lean mass and fat mass on the athletes’ dominant vs. non-dominant arms and legs. The differences between fat mass and lean mass were calculated and then percentage differences were averaged to determine the average percentage difference between the dominant vs. non-dominant arm and leg. In addition, paired samples t-tests were performed (a=0.05) to determine if the differences were significantly different.
Analysis/Results: Results showed that the athletes had 3.9% more fat mass in their non-dominant arm and 3% more muscle mass in their dominant arm. In the legs, there was 0.2% increase in fat on the dominant side with 0.9% increase in lean mass on the non-dominant side. Results from the t-tests revealed significant differences in fat percentage in the arms (p=0.034) but non-significant difference in arm lean mass (p=0.066). No significant differences were found in the lower limb data.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate there are some differences in fat vs. lean tissue in the arms of these athletes and addressing these imbalances could lead to better performance and decreased injury potential.