19th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Skinfolds in Male and Female Track Athletes
Carissa J. Brummit* and Loretta K. Palmer
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Prof. Liz Jorn, and Mr. John Cochrane, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in %fat estimated by different techniques in male and female athletes. College track athletes (18 M, 28 F) were measured for population-specific skinfolds to estimate %fat from three equations. In addition, %fat was estimated from two bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) techniques. In females, repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc test analysis indicated that the Tanita BIA produced a significantly higher estimate of %fat than the other methods, which did not differ. In males, the analysis indicated that an athletic skinfold prediction equation and Tanita BIA produced significantly lower %fat estimates than the other techniques. Different measurement techniques can produce significantly different estimates of %fat which do not occur in the same order in men and women and can alter the determination of ideal body weights. This study may be of interest to coaches as they monitor athletes' weight.
Keywords: Body Composition, Percent Fat, Competitive weight, BIA, Tanita, Body Logic, Skinfolds
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 60-19
Location: OP Lobby and Atrium
Time: 4:15