CROSS-VALIDATION OF SKINFOLD PREDICTION EQUATIONS IN COLLEGE WRESTLERS

Abstract

937 In preparation for mandatory minimal weight testing by the NCAA, this study cross-validated five skinfold prediction equations for body fat (%FAT) in collegiate wrestlers. Previous research suggested a modified Lohman equation was the best predictor in high school age wrestlers (Clark et. al, 1993, Thorland et. al, 1991) and is currently used to predict body fat and minimal weight in more than 50,000 WI, MI and NY high school wrestlers annually. Equations used in wrestlers (Lohman, Katch and Oppliger) were compared to a criterion value from hydrostatic weighing (HW) with residual volume via O2 dilution. Subjects were college wrestlers from the Universities of Wisconsin and Iowa (mean±SD; n= 93, age=20.20±1.67 yr, ht=171.98±6.63cm, wt=74.44±11.48kg, BMI=25.04±2.56). Mean %FAT values, constant error (CE) correlation (r), standard error of the estimate (SEE) and prediction error (PE) are shown: (Table)TableRepeated measures ANOVA with Tukey follow-up test indicated no significant difference (@p<0.05) between the criterion and predictions, with the CE, SEE and PE suggesting that minimal wrestling weight (body weight at 5% fat) can be estimated by skinfolds. These data suggest the best predictions came from the equations Lohman I and Oppliger. We recommend further research on samples from outside the Midwest to further cross-validate skinfold prediction equations on collegiate wrestlers.