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Estimating body fat in NCAA Division I female athletes: a five-compartment model validation of laboratory methods

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine the validity of various laboratory methods for estimating percent body fat (%fat) in NCAA Division I college female athletes (n = 29; 20 ± 1 year). Body composition was assessed via hydrostatic weighing (HW), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and estimates of %fat derived using 4-compartment (C), 3C, and 2C models were compared to a criterion 5C model that included bone mineral content, body volume (BV), total body water, and soft tissue mineral. The Wang-4C and the Siri-3C models produced nearly identical values compared to the 5C model (r > 0.99, total error (TE) < 0.40%fat). For the remaining laboratory methods, constant error values (CE) ranged from −0.04%fat (HW-Siri) to −3.71%fat (DXA); r values ranged from 0.89 (ADP-Siri, ADP-Brozek) to 0.93 (DXA); standard error of estimate values ranged from 1.78%fat (DXA) to 2.19%fat (ADP-Siri, ADP-Brozek); and TE values ranged from 2.22%fat (HW-Brozek) to 4.90%fat (DXA). The limits of agreement for DXA (−10.10 to 2.68%fat) were the largest with a significant trend of −0.43 (P < 0.05). With the exception of DXA, all of the equations resulted in acceptable TE values (<3.08%fat). However, the results for individual estimates of %fat using the Brozek equation indicated that the 2C models that derived BV from ADP and HW overestimated (5.38, 3.65%) and underestimated (5.19, 4.88%) %fat, respectively. The acceptable TE values for both HW and ADP suggest that these methods are valid for estimating %fat in college female athletes; however, the Wang-4C and Siri-3C models should be used to identify individual estimates of %fat in this population.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all of the athletes who participated in this investigation and Vincent J. Dalbo for his efforts during data collection. Additionally, we would like to thank Sarah Cahill for her dedication and support as a strength coach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metabolic and Body Composition Laboratories, Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, 115 Huston Huffman Center, 1401 Asp Ave, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Jordan R. Moon, Sarah E. Tobkin, Abbie E. Smith, Christopher M. Lockwood & Jeffrey R. Stout

  2. Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

    Ashley A. Walter, Joel T. Cramer & Travis W. Beck

  3. Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA

    Joan M. Eckerson

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  1. Jordan R. Moon
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  2. Joan M. Eckerson
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Correspondence to Jeffrey R. Stout.

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Moon, J.R., Eckerson, J.M., Tobkin, S.E. et al. Estimating body fat in NCAA Division I female athletes: a five-compartment model validation of laboratory methods. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 119–130 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0881-9

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