Abstract
Introduction: Skinfold (SKF) equations exist to predict percent body fat (%BF) in athletes; however, none have been derived from multicomponent model reference measures. Purpose: To develop and cross-validate a %BF prediction equation based on SKF in athletes using a fourcomponent model as the reference measure. Methods: Subjects were 132 collegiate athletes (20.7 2.0 yr; 78 males: 28 black, 50 white; 54 females: 10 black, 44 white). Four-component model estimates of %BF (%BF4C) included measures of total body water from deuterium dilution, bone mineral by dual- energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and body density by densitometry using underwater weighing. SKF measures included subscapular, triceps, chest, midaxillary, suprailiac, abdominal, and thigh sites (7SKF). A prediction equation was developed on 102 athletes using 7SKF, race, and gender as predictor variables. Cross-validation was performed on a representative holdout sample of 30 athletes. Results: The equation cross-validated well (slope and intercept both not different (P 0.05) from the line of identity (LOI); rYY= 0.85, total error (TE) 3.76%BF) and was better than the existing athlete SKF equations (intercept and slope both different from LOI (P 0.01); rYY= 0.76, TE 4.51%BF). Notably, a prediction equation developed using 3SKF sites (abdomen, thigh, and triceps) produced a similar accuracy (intercept and slope both not different from LOI (P 0.05); rYY= 0.85, TE 3.66%BF). Conclusions: The new 7SKF equation improved on SKF equations developed using densitometry. The final
equation based on the whole sample was %BF= 10.566 0.12077*(7SKF) – 8.057*(gender) – 2.545*(race). Moreover, a 3SKF equation was comparable in accuracy to the 7SKF equation: %BF= 8.997 0.24658*(3SKF) – 6.343*(gender) – 1.998*(race).
equation based on the whole sample was %BF= 10.566 0.12077*(7SKF) – 8.057*(gender) – 2.545*(race). Moreover, a 3SKF equation was comparable in accuracy to the 7SKF equation: %BF= 8.997 0.24658*(3SKF) – 6.343*(gender) – 1.998*(race).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2006-2011 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- body composition
- field method
- multicomponent method
- race
- gender