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Skinfold prediction equation for athletes developed using a four-component model
Ellen M Evans1, Dave A Rowe, Mark M Misic
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61801, USA. elevans@uiuc.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|November 16, 2005
Summary
A new skinfold equation accurately predicts body fat percentage in athletes, outperforming previous methods. A simplified 3-site equation offers comparable accuracy for athletic populations.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Physiology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Existing skinfold (SKF) equations for predicting percent body fat (%BF) in athletes lack validation against multicomponent model reference measures.
- Accurate body composition assessment is crucial for athletic performance and health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and cross-validate a novel %BF prediction equation using SKF measurements in collegiate athletes.
- To establish a reference equation based on a four-component model for enhanced accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a four-component model including deuterium dilution (body water), DXA (bone mineral), and underwater weighing (body density) for %BF4C estimation.
- Collected seven skinfold (SKF) measurements from 132 collegiate athletes (males and females, various races).
- Developed and cross-validated a prediction equation using SKF, race, and gender, with a holdout sample for validation.
Main Results:
- The developed 7SKF equation demonstrated strong cross-validation (r=0.85, TE=3.76%BF), outperforming existing athlete SKF equations (r=0.76, TE=4.51%BF).
- A simplified 3SKF equation (abdomen, thigh, triceps) achieved comparable accuracy to the 7SKF equation (r=0.85, TE=3.66%BF).
- Both new equations showed no significant difference from the line of identity in cross-validation.
Conclusions:
- The new 7SKF equation provides improved prediction of %BF in athletes compared to densitometry-derived equations.
- A 3SKF equation offers a practical and accurate alternative for estimating %BF in athletes.
- The study provides validated prediction equations for body fat assessment in athletic populations.