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Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(10): 799-806
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-104061
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Comparison of Methods for the Estimation of Body Composition in Highly Trained Wheelchair Games Players

V. Goosey-Tolfrey
1   Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, Leicestershire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
M. Keil
2   English Institute of Sport, Nutrition, Birmingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
K. Brooke-Wavell
3   Loughborough University, the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences Leicestershire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
S. de Groot
4   Reade, Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
5   University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 21 February 2016

Publication Date:
13 May 2016 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement in body composition measurements of wheelchair athletes using skinfolds, bio-impedance analysis (BIA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) relative to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A secondary objective was to develop new skinfold prediction equations to estimate %fat for this sample. 30 wheelchair games players were recruited and the body composition outcomes of BIA, ADP, and skinfolds were compared to the DXA outcomes by a paired-samples t-test (systematic bias), intraclass correlation (ICC, relative agreement) and Bland-Altman plots (absolute agreement). Regression models to predict the %fat as measured by DXA by the sum of skinfolds or BIA were calculated. Results showed that the predictions of %fat when using BIA, ADP or skinfolds systematically underestimated the %fat mass as measured by the DXA. All ICC values, except for the measurement of fat (kg) by ADP (ICC=0.702), were below 0.7. New prediction models found the ∑7 skinfolds and calf circumference as the best model to predict %fat (R2=0.84). In conclusion, BIA, ADP and existing skinfolds equations should be used with caution when estimating %fat of wheelchair athletes with substantial body asymmetry, lower body muscular atrophy and upper body muscular development.

Key words

bioelectrical impedance - air displacement plethysmography - skinfolds - dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry - paralympic sport
 

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