Angus
Active Member
- Messages
- 5,097
- Reaction score
- 20
Lions can tell who's fit and flabby
Team uses modern methods to measure body fat, which is key to players' fitness.
Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- There is a difference between being fit and fat, and weight is only part of the formula.
The Lions are one of many NFL teams that regularly test players to determine what percentage of body weight is lean muscle mass or fat. To maximize fitness, a player's percentage of body fat should fall within a range, which is based on his position.
The Lions use the Bod Pod system, developed by Life Measurement Inc., which uses air-displacement technology to measure body fat.
"In part of getting a player as fit as you can, you want to determine what body weight he should play at to play his best," said Jason Arapoff, chief strength and conditioning coach for the Lions.
"We have an idea of what a player should weigh to play the position at a certain level. Some of that is inherent to the position. Some of that is our experience with that particular player."
The Bod Pod, which resembles a small space capsule, is used by the NFL to test college players at the annual Combine workouts in Indianapolis.
"It is the gold standard for measuring body composition," Arapoff said. "When a guy's body changes, we can't assume that he gained good weight or bad weight. It's a good way to determine how his body is changing."
Linemen are allowed the highest percentage of body fat because they need bulk to compete at their position. The highest range for any position is defensive tackles, at 22 percent to 26 percent body fat.
Other position percentages: offensive line (20-24); defensive ends and tight ends (16-20); linebackers, quarterbacks, kickers and punters (10-14); cornerbacks and wide receivers (6-10); running backs (8-13); safeties (8-12).
It is a misconception most players have trouble losing weight, Arapoff said. A bigger issue is keeping their weight up during the season.
Arapoff cited offensive tackle Rex Tucker, signed as a free agent during the offseason, as an example of a player who gains weight during the season.
"Most of the time, we assume the guy is overweight, he's fat," Arapoff said. "The majority of our guys are trying to maintain their weight or gain weight. More guys on the team are trying to get bigger and more muscular than there are fat guys trying to get smaller."
Tucker plays at 308, but his weight drops to 285 during the offseason.
"Then he spends time in a logical manner getting bigger and stronger and more fit," Arapoff said. "He's not a natural 308. He's a natural 270, maybe. He lifts and eats right and trains to get himself where he needs to be for the season.
"Even the smaller guys aren't naturally that big. If they're 210, they weigh 195 and get blown up to 210."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060621/SPORTS0101/606210396/1126
Team uses modern methods to measure body fat, which is key to players' fitness.
Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- There is a difference between being fit and fat, and weight is only part of the formula.
The Lions are one of many NFL teams that regularly test players to determine what percentage of body weight is lean muscle mass or fat. To maximize fitness, a player's percentage of body fat should fall within a range, which is based on his position.
The Lions use the Bod Pod system, developed by Life Measurement Inc., which uses air-displacement technology to measure body fat.
"In part of getting a player as fit as you can, you want to determine what body weight he should play at to play his best," said Jason Arapoff, chief strength and conditioning coach for the Lions.
"We have an idea of what a player should weigh to play the position at a certain level. Some of that is inherent to the position. Some of that is our experience with that particular player."
The Bod Pod, which resembles a small space capsule, is used by the NFL to test college players at the annual Combine workouts in Indianapolis.
"It is the gold standard for measuring body composition," Arapoff said. "When a guy's body changes, we can't assume that he gained good weight or bad weight. It's a good way to determine how his body is changing."
Linemen are allowed the highest percentage of body fat because they need bulk to compete at their position. The highest range for any position is defensive tackles, at 22 percent to 26 percent body fat.
Other position percentages: offensive line (20-24); defensive ends and tight ends (16-20); linebackers, quarterbacks, kickers and punters (10-14); cornerbacks and wide receivers (6-10); running backs (8-13); safeties (8-12).
It is a misconception most players have trouble losing weight, Arapoff said. A bigger issue is keeping their weight up during the season.
Arapoff cited offensive tackle Rex Tucker, signed as a free agent during the offseason, as an example of a player who gains weight during the season.
"Most of the time, we assume the guy is overweight, he's fat," Arapoff said. "The majority of our guys are trying to maintain their weight or gain weight. More guys on the team are trying to get bigger and more muscular than there are fat guys trying to get smaller."
Tucker plays at 308, but his weight drops to 285 during the offseason.
"Then he spends time in a logical manner getting bigger and stronger and more fit," Arapoff said. "He's not a natural 308. He's a natural 270, maybe. He lifts and eats right and trains to get himself where he needs to be for the season.
"Even the smaller guys aren't naturally that big. If they're 210, they weigh 195 and get blown up to 210."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060621/SPORTS0101/606210396/1126
