Medial Calf Skinfolds Research Articles

Adolescents' chronotype and its association with obesity-related outcomes: The EHDLA study.

This study aimed to assess associations between chronotype and obesity-related indicators in a sample of Spanish adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from The Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) Study, which included a representative sample of adolescents from Spain. A total of 820 adolescents (54.7% girls) aged 12-17 years were included in the analyses. The adolescents' chronotype was determined using the Morningness/Eveningness Scale in Children. Obesity-related indicators included body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, triceps and medial calf skinfolds, sum of skinfolds, and body fat percentage. Generalized linear models were used to examine the relationship between the Morningness-Eveningness score and chronotype status and the above-mentioned obesity-related indicators in adolescents. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, sleep duration, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and energy intake. The morningness chronotype was associated with higher abdominal obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 2.50; p = 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = 0.01, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05; p = 0.029) and skinfold calves (B = 1.04 95% CI 0.24 to 1.94; p = 0.011), compared with the intermediate chronotype. Adolescents with a morningness chronotype may be more prone to abdominal obesity than their counterparts with an intermediate chronotype. Effective intervention-related approaches can be applied to those with a morningness chronotype.

Diversity of change in body mass index and skinfold thickness between different study courses within four years of study among the male students in a university in Poland

Objective: This study examined whether there were significant changes (expectedly increase) in BMI (Body Mass Index), and relative subcutaneous body fat during the four years of study in a university and compared these changes between the students of different courses, viz., Computer science, Law and administration, Humanities and Physical education. Design: This was a prospective follow up study with measurements at two time points with gap of four years. Body mass index, Triceps, subscapular, mid-axillary, abdominal, supra-illiac and medial-calf skinfold thicknesses were measured at two points of time, just after entrance to university and again after completion of four years. Student’s T-test, one-way ANOVA, and repeated measures ANNOVA (two-way) were employed to assess significance of differences in anthropometric measures between groups of students. Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Rzeszów, Poland. Participants: 191 young men university students aged approximately 19.5 years and 24.0 years, at the beginning and after four years, respectively, during this study. Results: Students of all courses underwent increments in BMI, absolute- and relative skinfold thicknesses, except that the students of physical education course did not show change in skinfold thicknesses relative to BMI. Conclusions: It has been concluded that the change in the adiposity profile during the years of study at university varied according to the course types. Further, detailed studies on the nature and cause of such variation occurring between course types may lead to better understanding etiology of overweight and obesity before entering to adult life.

Morphological characteristics of visually impaired tennis practitioners

Objective: To evaluate somatotype and body composition of a population of sound-tennis players.
 Method: The research included a descriptive, cross-sectional design, with a quantitative focus. The sample consists of 13 male sound-tennis players: eight Spanish and five from other countries that were recruited in an international tournament in May 2017. The Spanish population started the practice of this discipline two years before the data collection, while the other group was more experienced with 4-6 years of sports practice. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition of both populations were determined by the protocols described by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry.
 Results: All the participants presented an endomorphic mesomorph somatotype. No significant differences were detected regarding fat and muscle masses when comparing Spanish vs others. Spanish players displayed significantly higher values of biceps and medial calf skinfolds, but also lower bone mass and height.
 Conclusions: All participants were slightly overweight. The Spanish para-athletes tend to accumulate fat in the upper and lower limbs that could affect their tennis performance. These indicators should be taken into account when planning diet, training and season goals.

Exercise induced dehydration status and skinfold compressibility in athletes: an intervention study.

Skinfold thickness assessment is a widely recognized technique for the estimation of body adiposity and fat free mass. This method assumes that skinfolds' compressibility is constant but there are some factors that could influence its compressibility. This study aims to evaluate whether the skinfolds' compressibility is influenced by hydration status. An intervention study was conducted in a sample of 22 adult male amateur soccer players, who took part in a 90min simulated soccer match. Before and after the intervention skinfolds thicknesses were measured in eight anatomical sites. An electronic caliper, Lipotool, was used to collect and record 120 values during 2s of evaluation. To analyze skinfolds' compressibility, two methods were used: identification of lowest skinfold thickness measurement (SL) and SH = 110% x SL, and the parameter TAU (τ) determination. Baseline hydration status was evaluated by total body water (TBW) through multifrequency bioimpedance analysis. Dehydration was assessed by the difference of body weight before and after the intervention. The intervention resulted in a loss of 2.11% of participants' baseline weight. The skinfolds thicknesses, assessed by SL and SH, were significantly higher after exercise for all skinfolds except for skinfolds at iliac crest and abdominal. This intervention did not affect skinfolds' compressibility when assessed by τ. However, an association between dehydration and medial-calf skinfold' compressibility was found (r=0.48, p=0.042). Although an increase in the skinfolds thickness after the intervention was found, skinfolds' compressibility did not change.

Analyzing the Effects of 16 Weeks Swimming Exercises of Children Aged 7-13 on Anthropometric Measurements and Somatotype

By the carried study, it’s aimed to expose the effects of 16 weeks swimming exercises of sedentary girl and boys aged 7-13 on anthropometric measurements and somatotype components. In total 114 children, healthy 53 girls, the average age 9.35±2.14 years and 61 boys, the average age 9.56±2.74 years under the summer school joining to swimming lessons participated to this research. Height, body mass, chest, waist and hip circumference measurements and 10 anthropometric measurements of research group necessary for somatotype calculation has taken before and after the 16 weekly swimming program. Somatotype calculations evaluated by Heath-Carter somatotype method. Data tested in p<0.05 significance level via Paired Samples t-Test. With the data obtained before and after swimming exercises, as compared to boys and girls separately, all the data apart from height, medial calf skinfold, waist/hip ratio, mesomorph coefficient in girls and all the data apart from height and waist/hip ratio are significantly different in boys. Somatotype values in preliminary test of girls changed from 4.99-3.64-2.35 to 4.45-3.78-2.8 and of boys changed from 4.67-3.72-2.24 to 3.92-4.15-2.38. The findings of the study show that swimming exercises have effects on the decrease in body mass and increase in muscle mass. Given the characteristics of the investigated age group, the period of pre-adolescent girls tend to increase the lubrication, swimming exercises to be held in this age group would benefit for weight control and create a healthier future generation. Swimming exercises are important for preventing weight gain and deal with existing problems of technology and inactivated lifestyle especially in the puberty period children.

A New Specific Equation for the Assessment of Body Fat Percentage in Adolescent Soccer Players

PURPOSE: To determine whether the commonly used anthropometric equations or a new developed specific anthropometric equation are adequate to estimate body-fat percentage (BF%) in adolescent soccer players. METHODS: Ninety-eight players (65 males/33 females; 13.4 ± 0.6 years) from different Spanish soccer clubs participated in the present study. Following the recommendations of the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), biceps, triceps, subscapular, supraspinale, iliac-crest, abdominal, front thigh and medial calf skinfolds were measured and inserted in the following prediction equations to estimate BF%: Johnston et al., Slaughter et al., Carter et al., Faulkner et al. and Deurenberg et al. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used as a reference method to evaluate BF%. Several 2-paired samples t-test were used to compare BF% from DXA and the different equations. The validity and presence of heteroscedasticity of these equations was assessed by Bland-Altman analyses. Stepwise linear-regression was used to develop the soccer-specific equation. A cross-validation for the new anthropometric equation was performed using Stein´s equation. RESULTS: The developed equation resulted as follows: %BF = 11.115 + 0.775*(triceps skinfold) + 0.193*(iliac-crest skinfold) - 1.606*(sex; being sex=0 for female and sex=1 for male). The present study showed that Johnston et al. equation was the only one without differences with DXA, but with tendency towards heteroscedasticity. However, the proposed equation demonstrated high cross-validation prediction power (R2=0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The specific equation developed in the present study may be the most appropriate for estimating BF% in adolescent soccer players.

Anthropometric and performance perspectives of female competitive surfing

PurposeTo evaluate the anthropometric profiles of female surfers and to identify whether any anthropometrical factors might predict competitive ranking. Secondly, to evaluate the activity profile of female competitive surfing with respect to environmental conditions using Global Positioning System (GPS) derived measures.MethodsFollowing institutional ethical approval, 31 female competitive surfers underwent anthropometric assessment (mean age: 20.49, &lt;i&gt;s&lt;/i&gt; = 5.32 years; stature: 165.2, &lt;i&gt;s&lt;/i&gt; = 4.8 cm; body mass: 63.0, &lt;i&gt;s&lt;/i&gt; = 6.8 kg). A subsample (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt; = 22) wore GPS units during competition at four different locations with varied surfing conditions.ResultsThe mean somatotype values of the surfers were (Endo-Meso-Ecto) 4.06, 4.15, 2.01. Significant correlations (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05) were found between the national ranking and triceps, medial calf skinfolds, sum of six skinfolds, body fat percentage, and sum of eight skinfolds. Percentage time sitting, paddling, and riding equalled 62.58 ± 10.18%, 30.70 ± 9.44%, and 6.73 ± 2.91%, respectively. The mean ride time, maximum ride time, total time spent riding, and total distance surfing were significantly correlated with the round of the competition. Furthermore, the number of rides, time spent riding, percentage of total distance surfing, and percentage time riding were correlated with heat placement (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). Time spent sitting was associated with poorer heat placements (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.01).ConclusionsBody fat levels are associated with the national ranking in competitive female surfers. The number of waves ridden in a heat, the length of the rides, and activity levels were significantly related to heat placement and competition progression.

Dissociations Among Direct and Indirect Indicators of Adiposity in Young Wrestlers

The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the age-related patterns of differences in height (HT), body mass (BM), percent body fat (% fat), body mass index (BMI), and skinfolds (SF) in 11- to 18-year-old wrestlers; (b) determine the coherence of direct (% fat) and indirect (BMI and SFs) indicators of adiposity in the wrestlers; and (c) compare the age-related patterns and mean values for HT, BM, BMI, subscapular, and triceps SF for the wrestlers to those of national samples of boys from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. One hundred thirty wrestlers were divided into 8 independent yearly age groups (AG): AG11-AG18 years. Height, BM, BMI, subscapular SF, triceps SF, medial calf SF, thigh SF, sum of SFs, and % fat were assessed. There were no differences between the wrestlers and NHANES samples for age-related patterns of BMI (0.61 and 0.63 kg·m·y), subscapular SF (0.47 and 0.37 mm·y), or triceps SF (-0.31 and -0.39 mm·y). Furthermore, the wrestlers displayed no differences in % fat between age groups. The results indicated that: (a) dissociations existed between the direct and indirect indicators of adiposity; (b) the wrestlers were similar in height but had smaller upper-body SFs when compared with NHANES samples; and (c) participation in wrestling (1-8 years) had no adverse effects on the normal age-related growth patterns for HT, but favorable effects on measures of adiposity.

Prediction equation for lower limbs lean soft tissue in circumpubertal boys using anthropometry and biological maturation.

Lean soft tissue (LST), a surrogate of skeletal muscle mass, is largely limited to appendicular body regions. Simple and accurate methods to estimate lower limbs LST are often used in attempts to partition out the influence of body size on performance outputs. The aim of the current study was to develop and cross-validate a new model to predict lower limbs LST in boys aged 10–13 years, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method. Total body and segmental (lower limbs) composition were assessed with a Hologic Explorer-W QDR DXA scanner in a cross-sectional sample of 75 Portuguese boys (144.8±6.4 cm; 40.2±9.0 kg). Skinfolds were measured at the anterior and posterior mid-thigh, and medial calf. Circumferences were measured at the proximal, mid and distal thigh. Leg length was estimated as stature minus sitting height. Current stature expressed as a percentage of attained predicted mature stature (PMS) was used as an estimate of biological maturity status. Backward proportional allometric models were used to identify the model with the best statistical fit: ln (lower limbs LST) = 0.838× ln (body mass) +0.476× ln (leg length) – 0.135× ln (mid-thigh circumference) – 0.053× ln (anterior mid-thigh skinfold) – 0.098× ln (medial calf skinfold) – 2.680+0.010× (percentage of attained PMS) (R = 0.95). The obtained equation was cross-validated using the predicted residuals sum of squares statistics (PRESS) method (R 2 PRESS = 0.90). Deming repression analysis between predicted and current lower limbs LST showed a standard error of estimation of 0.52 kg (95% limits of agreement: 0.77 to −1.27 kg). The new model accurately predicts lower limbs LST in circumpubertal boys.

A Comparative and Corelative Study On Body Composition and Motor Performance of 14 Years Old Boys of Four Different Altitudes of Darjeeling District

The purpose of the study was to find out the difference in Body composition (skinfolds) and motor performance of 14 years old boys of Darjeeling. The samples are school students. Researcher had taken 100 male students each from Sukhia Pokhari Higher Secondary School (Alt.-7200 ft.), Trunbull higher Secondary school (Alt.-6700 ft.), Jnanpith High school (Alt.-3000 ft.) and Kadamtala High School(Alt.-430 ft.). Researcher had measured height and weight as personal data measured skinfolds of triceps, biceps, subscapular, supra spinale, iliac creast and medial calf for body composition. 50 mt. dash, shuttle run, standing broad jump and sit ups were motor performance parameters. It has been observed that there were significant differences in medial calf skinfold thickness, agility and strength endurance.

Distribuição da gordura corporal em escolares: um estudo usando o método LMS

INTRODUÇÃO: A avaliação do sobrepeso e obesidade em populações ainda tem sido baseada predominantemente no índice de massa corporal, o qual tem sido considerado o indicador universal da adiposidade. OBJETIVO: Analisar a distribuição da gordura corporal de escolares de sete a 10 anos, por meio da construção de referenciais percentílicos das dobras cutâneas, utilizando os parâmetros LMS. MÉTODO: Os dados são relativos a uma amostra representativa de escolares de sete a 10 anos frequentando escolas públicas e privadas, que participaram de pesquisa mais ampla de prevalência do sobrepeso e obesidade, realizada em 2002, em Florianópolis (Santa Catarina, Brasil), e composta por 2.918 crianças. Para este estudo utilizaram-se os dados antropométricos de estatura, dobras cutâneas subescapular, suprailíaca, tricipital e panturrilha medial. O método LMS, que visa normalizar os dados que apresentam assimetria em sua distribuição, foi utilizado para analisar e comparar a distribuição das dobras por faixa etária e sexo. RESULTADOS: Ambos os sexos apresentaram valores maiores de gordura subcutânea na região do tríceps e da panturrilha, porém, no sexo masculino estes foram inferiores aos das meninas e com pouco incremento ao longo da faixa etária investigada. A dobra que apresentou maior incremento nos valores medianos foi a suprailíaca, para o sexo feminino, a qual alcançou valores próximos aos da dobra tricipital aos 10 anos de idade. CONCLUSÕES: O método LMS propicia a análise da distribuição dos valores das dobras cutâneas, as quais são importantes para avaliar a evolução da gordura corporal e o estado nutricional de crianças.

Birth Weight and Subsequent Adiposity Gain in Swedish Children and Adolescents: A 6‐Year Follow‐Up Study

We examined whether birth weight (BW) predicts changes in body composition over a 6-year period in Swedish children and adolescents. For this purpose, a total of 247 children (55.5% girls) and 162 adolescents (60.5% girls) were included in the study and were followed up 6 years later. BW was obtained from parental records. We measured weight, height, waist circumference, and the bicep, tricep, subscapular, suprailiac, and medial calf skinfolds, and we calculated BMI, fat-free mass (FFM), and the sum of five skinfolds. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry. Changes in pubertal status and baseline anthropometric estimates were used as confounders in all analysis. In the children cohort, we observed that BW was inversely associated with changes in BMI (β = -0.736, P = 0.002) and the sum of five skinfolds (β = -6.381, P = 0.009) regardless of confounders and physical activity, only in girls. We did not find any significant association between BW and adiposity gain estimates in the adolescent cohort. These findings give further support to the concept that low BW may have a programming effect of subsequent adiposity gain from childhood to adolescence. We also confirm the sex-related differences in the programming effect of body composition.

Predictor variables for a half marathon race time in recreational male runners

The aim of this study was to investigate predictor variables of anthropometry, training, and previous experience in order to predict a half marathon race time for future novice recreational male half marathoners. Eighty-four male finishers in the ‘Half Marathon Basel’ completed the race distance within (mean and standard deviation, SD) 103.9 (16.5) min, running at a speed of 12.7 (1.9) km/h. After multivariate analysis of the anthropometric characteristics, body mass index (r = 0.56), suprailiacal (r = 0.36) and medial calf skin fold (r = 0.53) were related to race time. For the variables of training and previous experience, speed in running of the training sessions (r = −0.54) were associated with race time. After multivariate analysis of both the significant anthropometric and training variables, body mass index (P = 0.0150) and speed in running during training (P = 0.0045) were related to race time. Race time in a half marathon might be partially predicted by the following equation (r2 = 0.44): Race time (min) = 72.91 + 3.045 * (body mass index, kg/m2) −3.884 * (speed in running during training, km/h) for recreational male runners. To conclude, variables of both anthropometry and training were related to half marathon race time in recreational male half marathoners and cannot be reduced to one single predictor variable.

Insulin sensitivity at childhood predicts changes in total and central adiposity over a 6-year period

To examine the associations of insulin resistance at childhood with adiposity changes over a 6-year period (from 9 to 15 years) in a sample of 659 Swedish and Estonian children (52.7% girls) participating in the European Youth Heart Study. We measured weight, height, waist circumference, biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and medial calf skinfolds, and we calculated body mass index (BMI), sum of five skinfolds, and body fat percentage. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin were measured and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Changes in puberty stage, sex, centre and the corresponding baseline adiposity values were used as confounders in all analysis. HOMA-IR at childhood was significantly and positively associated with changes in BMI (β=0.265; P=0.024), sum of five skinfolds (β=0.3445; P=0.003), body fat percentage (β=1.042; P=0.016) and waist circumference (β=0.806; P=0.002) from childhood to adolescence. These relationships persisted when overweight children were excluded from the analysis. BMI, sum of five skinfolds, body fat percentage and waist circumference at childhood were not significantly associated with changes in HOMA-IR (P for all >0.1). These results give further support to the concept that lower insulin sensitivity at childhood may predict subsequent total and central adiposity gain at adolescence. These findings enhance the role of insulin sensitivity as a target of obesity prevention already from the first decades of life.

Determinants Of Steady-state Running Performance In Youth

Running performance is influenced by multiple factors related to fitness and training. In youth, body size and development are related to efficiency of exercise. Efficiency and economy are also factors that influence the achievement of an aerobic steady-state during exercise. PURPOSE: To identify descriptive factors which influence the achievement of an aerobic steady-state running performance in youth. METHODS: Subjects were 179 children and adolescents, ages 9-18 years. Each subject was measured for sum of triceps and medial calf skinfolds, as well as height and body weight. Each subject performed a submaximal treadmill running test at randomly selected speeds between 4-8 mph. Heart rate and oxygen uptake were measured throughout the test. A submaximal aerobic steady-state running performance for each subject required at least two of the following: heart rate less than 90% age-predicted max heart rate, RPE less than18 (6-20 scale), and RER less than 1.0. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a significant difference in age, F(1,153) = 12.5, p<.001, between subjects who achieved an aerobic steady-state performance (13.2 ± 2.4 years) compared to those who did not (11.9 ± 2.0 years). A significant difference in skinfold sum, F(1,153) = 11.7, p<.001, between subjects who achieved an aerobic steady-state performance (25.6 ± 10.8 mm) compared to those who did not (34.6 ± 16.0 mm) was also observed. A logistic regression model indicated that an aerobic steady-state performance could be predicted based on the following significant predictors: running speed, age, and sum of two-site skinfolds (Nagelkerke R2 =.21). At a running speed of 5 mph, for a 15-year-old with a sum of two-site skinfolds of 20 mm, the probability of achieving an aerobic steady-state performance is 96.0%. For a 15-year-old at the same speed, but with a two-site skinfold sum of 40 mm, that probability drops to 85.0%. For a 10-year-old at the same speed, and a two-site skinfold sum of 40 mm, that probability drops to 54.6%. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that running speed is the primary determinant of the achievement of an aerobic steady-state performance. Also, at any running speed, an increase in skinfold fat reduces the probability that an aerobic steady-state performance would be achieved.

Tracking Adiposity and Health-Related Physical Fitness Test Performances From Early Childhood Through Elementary School

This study tracked health-related physical fitness measurements in children, including sum of triceps and medial calf skinfolds, timed 1-mile run/walk, 1-min bent-knee sit-up, pull-up, and sit-and-reach values. Results are from 409 boys and 409 girls tested in kindergarten and fifth grade, also retaining their first, second, third, and fourth grade data. In separate gender analyses, Spearman's rho correlations were significant (p < .001) for all grade level pair combinations for each variable. Five-yr tracking of adiposity and all health-related physical fitness measurements for boys and girls was generally moderate from early childhood to the upper elementary ages.

Gender difference in fat indices as evident in two generations

To report gender difference for stature, weight, body fat and subcutaneous fat distribution between two generations in an endogamous Indian population, cross sectional data from 108 urban families comprising of 1042 adolescent children (11-17 years) and their parents residing in Delhi, India were considered. Various fatness and fat distribution indices were included in the study like BMI, GMT and Trunk-Extremity ratios. A consistent increase in fatness with age was found in both the sexes with a redistribution of fat away from extremities towards the trunk. The increase in BMI with age was more pronounced in females than in males. A continuous increase in GMT among adolescent girls was found but not among the adolescent boys. The Trunk-Extremity ratio established the trend of fat distribution in favor of trunk region which was more marked in boys. Statistically significant gender differences are observed in various age groups in different variables with maximum in triceps skinfold followed by stature and biceps skinfold and least in suprailiac and medial calf skinfold sites.

Sex differences in body fatness in Nigerian children

Childhood and adolescent obesity tends to extend into adulthood and predisposes the individual to some chronic diseases in later life. Body composition is a good parameter for evaluating obesity and nutritional status of children. This study aimed to investigate differences in body fat of Nigerian school children in Makurdi, Nigeria. The study sample consisted of a cross-sectional study of 979 boys and 1036 girls who were aged 9-12 years. Anthropometric measures of stature, body mass, triceps, subscapular and medial calf skinfolds were assessed. Percentage body fat in girls ranged from 15.2-17.4%, which was consistently higher than that in boys, i.e. 10.311.9%. Generally, the girls had higher measures of adipose tissue (sum of skinfolds and percentage body fat) than boys. The Nigerian girls at all ages had higher percentage body fat compared to the boys, which indicates gender differences in the children’s body fatness. The study provides a baseline assessment of body fatness in Nigerian children. Future studies on tracking of percentage body fat in relation to nutritional and fitness levels in Nigerian children are needed so that the children, parents and teachers can obtain reliable information about body composition and health related fitness.

Is Body Mass Index Related to Body Composition in Kindergarten and First Grade Students?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is frequently used to estimate overweight and obesity. BMI is determined by dividing weight in kg by height in meters squared. The relationship between BMI and body composition has not been validated in young children. PURPOSE: To determine if BMI is related to selected measures of body composition in kindergarten and first grade students. METHODS: Thirty-seven (20 boys, 17 girls) kindergarten and first grade students (5–8 yrs. old) participated in the study. Informed consent and child assent were obtained. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), sum of tricep and medial calf skinfolds (SF), two forms of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and BOD POD measurements were gathered on the participants. Means and standard deviations were calculated for all variables. Pearson product-moment correlations (? = 0.01) were obtained between BMI and each measure of body composition. BMI was compared individually to WC, SF, ohms readings from the Tanita TBF-150 and the Bioanalogics BIA, and body density measured from the BOD POD. RESULTS: Means and standard deviations for each measure were: height (121.5 ± 7.6 cm), weight (25.3 ± 7.1 kg), BMI (16.9 ± 3.3), WC (57.5 ± 7.5 cm), SF (22.6 ±11.2 mm), Tanita (629 ± 58 ohms), Bioanalogics (675 ± 66 ohms), and BOD POD (38.68 ± 0.02). Correlation coefficients for BMI and each measure were: WC (r = 0.95), SF (r = 0.93), Tanita (r = −0.62), Bianalogics (r = −0.48), and BOD POD (r = −0.67). All relationships were statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01. Positive correlations were found for BMI and WC and BMI and SF. Negative correlations were found between BMI and BIA and between BMI and BOD POD. CONCLUSION: BMI is related to all selected measures of body composition included in this study. The strongest relationships were between BMI and WC and between BMI and SF.

Skinfold thicknesses associated with distance running performance in highly trained runners

It has been postulated that additional adiposity has a negative effect on performance in heterogeneous groups of runners. Previous studies have not tested this hypothesis in homogeneous groups of elite runners. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the sum of skinfold thicknesses and specific single skinfold sites were related to competitive running performance in homogeneous groups of male and female elite athletes. In total, 184 top-class runners (130 males and 54 females) volunteered to participate in the study. Skinfolds were measured at the following sites: biceps, triceps, subscapular, pectoral, iliac crest, abdominal, front thigh and medial calf. Runners were classified into groups in accordance with their best performance times. Correlation analysis and partial correlation coefficients that controlled for age and weight were applied to each single skinfold, the sum of six skinfolds (excluding biceps) and the extremity (sum of triceps, front thigh, medial calf) to trunk (sum of subscapular, iliac crest, abdominal) ratio and performance. Performance was rated by the scoring procedures of the International Amateur Athletics Federation. In male runners, the pectoral, iliac crest, abdominal, biceps, triceps, subscapular skinfolds and the sum of six skinfolds were not associated with performance score for any of the distances. High correlations were found between the front thigh (r = 0.78, P = 0.000) and medial calf (r = 0.55, P = 0.018) skinfolds and 1500 m run time, and between the front thigh (r = 0.59, P = 0.014) and medial calf (r = 0.57, P = 0.017) skinfolds and 10,000 m run time. In female runners, the front thigh and medial calf skinfolds were highly correlated with 400 m run time (r = 0.71, P = 0.022 and r = 0.81, P = 0.005, respectively). The results of this study indicate that skinfold thicknesses in the lower limb are positively associated with running time over several distances, and may be a useful predictor of athletic performance.