Alison Borkowska, Thesis Supervisor Alison D Gernand, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Body composition Disordered eating College athletics
Abstract:
Optimal techniques for measuring and disclosing body composition in collegiate athletes have been a long-debated topic that continues across universities. The frequency of testing and physical demand of different sporting teams has made it more difficult to standardize body composition practices. The most practical measuring equipment, testing frequency, information dissemination, and privacy procedures are outlined based on the current literature. For this thesis, a draft body composition policy was developed for The Pennsylvania State University student-athletes to standardize practices and prevent the occurrence of disordered eating habits and body dysmorphia. Because athletes become more susceptible to disordered eating when privacy limitations and information dissemination are not standard, this draft emphasizes the role of Penn State coaches and the Sports Performance Team to minimize the occurrence of this behavior.
