The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of body composition and bone mineral density in different levels of baseball players. Eighty two baseball players (age: 26.2±3.7 years, body weight: 88.0±9.6 kg, height: 178.1±5.6 cm) in Taiwan participated in this study. They were divided into national representative group (n=30), professional group (n=23), and amateur group (n=29) according to their competition experience. The body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and bone mineral density of subjects were measured. Independent oneway ANOVA was used to compare the variables between groups. The result showed that there were no significant differences between groups in BMI and body fat percentage (BMI: 27.32±2.30 kg/m2 in national representative group, 27.50±2.35 kg/m^2 in professional group, and 28.33±3.26 kg/m^2 in amateur group; body fat percentage: 21.72±3.11% in national representative group, 20.80±3.23% in professional group, and 21.83±4.30% in amateur group). The T score and Z score of bone mineral density from ultrasound measurements in national representative group were significant higher than in professional group (T score: 2.13±1.43 in national representative group and 0.73±1.46 in professional group, p<.05; Z score: 2.76±1.44 in national representative group and 1.39±1.39 in professional group, p<.05). In conclusion, the BMI and body fat percentage of baseball players were no difference between different levels of baseball players. However, the values of the baseball players are higher than usual standards. The bone mineral density of the baseball player is higher than the average value and the national representatives have relatively higher bone mineral density.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of body composition and bone mineral density in different levels of baseball players. Eighty two baseball players (age: 26.2±3.7 years, body weight: 88.0±9.6 kg, height: 178.1±5.6 cm) in Taiwan participated in this study. They were divided into national representative group (n=30), professional group (n=23), and amateur group (n=29) according to their competition experience. The body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and bone mineral density of subjects were measured. Independent oneway ANOVA was used to compare the variables between groups. The result showed that there were no significant differences between groups in BMI and body fat percentage (BMI: 27.32±2.30 kg/m2 in national representative group, 27.50±2.35 kg/m^2 in professional group, and 28.33±3.26 kg/m^2 in amateur group; body fat percentage: 21.72±3.11% in national representative group, 20.80±3.23% in professional group, and 21.83±4.30% in amateur group). The T score and Z score of bone mineral density from ultrasound measurements in national representative group were significant higher than in professional group (T score: 2.13±1.43 in national representative group and 0.73±1.46 in professional group, p<.05; Z score: 2.76±1.44 in national representative group and 1.39±1.39 in professional group, p<.05). In conclusion, the BMI and body fat percentage of baseball players were no difference between different levels of baseball players. However, the values of the baseball players are higher than usual standards. The bone mineral density of the baseball player is higher than the average value and the national representatives have relatively higher bone mineral density.