Background/Purpose . To evaluate the accuracy of a body composition prediction formula in a group of university female cheerleaders.
Method . IRB approval and informed consent were obtained prior to a cross sectional analysis of data from 36 university female cheerleaders. MEASURED percent fat was determined using air displacement plethysmography. PREDICTED percent fat was calculated using the Gallagher (Am J. Clin Nut 2000) gender specific formula (1.45 x Body Mass Index) + (0.12 x Age) - (10.02). Pearson correlation and t-test were used with significance set at p<0.05.
Analysis/Results . 31 Caucasians; 5 African Americans; 26 bases (in contact with the ground during stunts); 10 flyers (in the air during stunts). Group analysis (±SD): Age in years 19.07 (± 1.40); Body Mass Index in kg/m2 21.45 (± 1.84); PREDICTED body fat was greater than MEASURED (23.52% ±4.44% vs. 20.25% ±2.5% p<0.05); MEASURED and PREDICTED were moderately related (r = 0.52, p = 0.001). Analysis by position: PREDICTED was greater than MEASURED in bases (24.05% ±2.66% vs. 21.03% ±3.92%, p < 0.001) and flyers (22.15% ±1.57% vs. 19.62% ±3.58%, p < 0.001); MEASURED and PREDICTED were moderately related in bases (r = 0.53, p = 0.005) but not in flyers (r = 0.38, p = 0.27).
Conclusions . There was a statistically significant difference between PREDICTED and MEASURED percent fat suggesting that the Gallagher formula should not be used in this population. Although the difference was less than 3.5% such error is meaningful in a relatively lean and athletic population.