Abstract
Study design:
Cross-sectional.
Objectives:
To compare relative body fatness (%Fat) estimates from field methods (skinfold thickness measurement (SKF) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)) with measures by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Setting:
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.
Methods:
Field methods used both three- and seven-site SKF prediction equations and BIA generalized, spinal cord injury (SCI)-specific and athlete-specific equations. DXA was used as the reference method. College-aged varsity athletes with SCI (women=8, men=8; time since injury 16.2±5.7 years; injury level range T5–L5) were recruited.
Results:
Mean BMI was 20.8±2.6 and 22.5±2.1 kg m−2, and mean DXA %Fat was 31.9±3.8 and 20.6±8.4%, for women and men, respectively. All field methods under-predicted the %Fat when compared with DXA (ranges in mean differences: SKF women 2.9–8.2%, SKF men 6.9–12.4%; BIA women 0.5–3.9%, BIA men 0.3–7.0%). None of the field methods accurately predicted the %Fat compared with DXA (total error (TE): SKF women 7.4–12.1%, SKF men 8.4–15.2%; BIA women 5.1–9.3%, BIA men 6.7–10.7%). Of the SKF and BIA prediction equations, Evans et al.'s three-site SKF (r=0.95, P<0.001, standard error of the estimate (SEE)=2.8 %Fat) prediction equation provided the best fit for this population.
Conclusion:
Further studies with larger samples are necessary to develop appropriate prediction equations for field methods in the athletic SCI population.
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Mojtahedi, M., Valentine, R. & Evans, E. Body composition assessment in athletes with spinal cord injury: comparison of field methods with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Spinal Cord 47, 698–704 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2009.20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2009.20
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