Body composition and performance in collegiate cheerleaders and dancers
Body Composition and Characteristics of Performance in Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers
Florida State University · NCT07378007
This project will see if female collegiate cheerleaders and dancers with a normal BMI but higher body fat ('normal-weight obese') have lower power, strength, or muscle quality than those with lower body fat.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 65 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Florida State University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Tallahassee, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT07378007 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Female Florida State University cheerleaders and dancers aged 18–30 with a normal BMI will be grouped by body fat percentage (normal-weight lean vs normal-weight obese). Participants will complete body composition scans, upper-leg muscle quality measures, physical performance tests (power and strength), and nutrition and lifestyle questionnaires. The study compares performance and muscle function between groups to characterize relationships between adiposity and athletic performance in aesthetic athletes. Results aim to clarify how body composition and lifestyle factors relate to strength, power, and function in this population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are biologically female Florida State University cheerleaders or dancers aged 18–30 with a BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 and stable weight.
Not a fit: Individuals who are not biologically female, not on FSU dance or cheer teams, outside the age or BMI range, pregnant, weight-unstable, or with an unresolved eating disorder are not eligible and are unlikely to receive benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help coaches and athletes tailor nutrition and training to improve power and strength for cheerleaders and dancers who have higher body fat despite a normal BMI.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked elevated body fat at normal BMI to reduced muscle function in other populations, but this specific comparison in collegiate cheerleaders and dancers has been little studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be a part of either the Florida State University dance or cheer team * Sex: Female * Age: 18-30 * BMI: Normal (18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2) Exclusion Criteria: * Not biologically female * Have a diagnosed and unresolved eating disorder * Not weight stable (defined as a gain/loss of more than \~7.7 lbs in the past 2 months) * Participants who are pregnant or who become pregnant during the study
Where this trial is running
Tallahassee, Florida
- Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM) — Tallahassee, Florida, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hannah Eberhardt
- Email: he24a@fsu.edu
- Phone: 8648879769
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Low Energy Availability, Physical Performance, Nutrition, Body Composition, Energy Availability, Physical Fitness, Division I Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers