Validity of a portable computer-based ultrasound system for estimating adipose tissue in female gymnasts

The aim of this investigation was to determine the validity of a portable ultrasound instrument for estimating adipose tissue (AT%) compared to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in female collegiate gymnasts. Participants had their measurements taken in the following order: urine-specific gravity, body mass, height, ultrasound determined AT% (1-site and 3-site) and DXA determined AT%. The current pilot study found significant differences between estimates of AT% (P < 0·001). Pearson's correlations between DXA and 1-site and 3-site estimates were r = 0·786 and r = 0·753, respectively. The standard error of the estimate between DXA and 1-site and 3-site estimates was 3·6% and 3·9%, respectively. However, the average deviation of individual scores from the line of identity was 6·7% for the 1-site and 4·9% for the 3-site, when compared with the DXA estimate. The results of this preliminary study found that the portable ultrasound was not a valid estimate of AT% when compared with the DXA estimate in female collegiate gymnasts.