Scheduled for Research Consortium Measurement, Exercise Physiology and Motor Behavior Poster Session, Friday, April 28, 2006, 8:45 AM - 10:15 AM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area I


Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance and Skinfolds With Hydrostatic Weighing for the Assessment of Body Composition in Healthy Young Adults

Jack Rutherford1, Gary A. Diemer1 and Eric D. Scott2, (1)Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, (2)Eastern Kentucky University, Morgantown, KY

With the promulgation of bioelectrical impedance instruments for assessing body composition in clinical settings, the public has questioned their validity. Body composition analysis was conducted on 64 young adults (33 males, 31 females, mean age 21 years, sd = 3) using the Omron Body Logic body fat analyzer, a hand held instrument (BIA-H), the Tanita TBF-515 Body Fat Monitor/Scale, a stand-on instrument (BIA-S), two skinfold methods (SF-7) and (SF-3) and hydrostatic weighing (HW). Correlations of all methods with HW were moderately high (r > .71) except for (BIA-S), which was moderate (r = .63). BIA-S significantly overpredicted body fatness (t = 3.8, p < .001) in comparison with HW. In contrast, the three other methods showed small differences (1.0 – 1.2%) with HW. Clinicians should exercise caution when using BIA-S based on the existing manufacturer's equations with young healthy adults. The researchers considered the BIA-H an accurate method of assessing body composition in young adults, especially when administered by novice testers.
Keyword(s): adult fitness, assessment, measurement/evaluation

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