Fat free mass index (FFMI) in an athletic female population is computed as (bone mineral content + lean mass / height2). It has been associated with performance and training status in their relevant sport, collegiate female athletes need to optimize bone mineral density (BMD), and lean mass as multiple factors impact their levels, including: the type of sport, nutrition, menstrual cycle, training program variation, lifestyle habits, and genetics. PURPOSE To compare FFMI and lower body BMD across female collegiate athletes and sedentary control considering their desired sport-specific performance and training. METHODS A sample of 68 women (Mean±SD; Age: 20.89±1.91 yrs, Height: 1.65±0.07 m, and Weight: 62.25±10.11 kg) including 43 females collegiate athletes (n= 23 hockey players, n= 20 synchronize swimmers) and 25 sedentary university students received a scan using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). ANOVA was used to evaluate differences in: FFMI, and regional BMD in the spine and the femur. RESULTS The FFMI of hockey players (18.11±1.33 kg/m2), was significantly (p<.05) higher than both the synchronized swimmers (15.43±1.25 kg/m2) and the controls (14.99±1.45 kg/m2). Hockey players, compared to synchronized swimmers and the control group, have a higher BMD of the spine, F(2, 65) = 13.391, p<.05, FFMI, F(2, 66)=37.06, p<.05. BMD of the total femur in the hockey players was great than the controls, F(2, 65)=4.06, p<.05. Total lean mass of synchronized swimmers (40.77±3.67 kg,) was greater (p<.05) than the control group (36.65±5.30kg). CONCLUSION BMD and FFMI of the control group compared to female athletes show how sports’ demands influence bone’s health in a female collegiate population. BMD and FFMI of hockey players compared to synchronized swimmers may demonstrate the importance of percussive activities for bone health in female athletes. Differences in FFMI between female hockey players and synchronize swimmers suggest that establishing sport-specific norms in this new measure may help coaches and strength specialists better tailor training programs to optimize performance and bone health in varsity athletes.
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