Abstract
This study evaluated field methods for establishing minimal body weight in wrestlers
baced upon estimates of fat-free body weight (FFB): 239 high school wrestlers were
measured for height, weight, 13 diameters, 24 circumferences, and 7 skinfolds, as
well as for underwater weight to determine body density and resultant FFB. To estimate
FFB, anthropometric models were used which were bases upon diameters, circumferences,
and/or skinfolds. Corrrelations between actual and predicted FFB were high, ranging
from r = 0.89 to 0.92 for the models employing diameters and r = 0.96 for those employing circumferences, which respectively increased to r = 0.96 and r = 0.97 when body weight was included in theses models. The skinfold-based and mixed
model estimates of FFB were r = 0.97 and r = 0.91 to 0.97, respectively. The corresponding total error (TE) in these estimates
for the diameter-based models ranged from 6.54 to 3.80 kg (inclusion of body weight
further reduced TE to 2.77 kg). Among the circumference models, TE ranged from 2.50
to 2.33 kg, with inclusion of body weight accounting for the lower value. Skinfold-based
estimates of FFB demonstrated a TE level ranging from 2.48 to 2.33 kg. The lowest
TE (2.32 kg) was demonstrated by a mixed model which included skinfolds, diameter,
height, and bodv weight. Cross-validation of these new equations revealed the lowest
TE values (< 2.2 kg) for the skinfold and the mixed model equations, thereby identifying
highly valid field techniques for determining the present level of FFB, which can
serve as the basis upon which minimal body weight estimates can be made.
Key words
body composition - body weight - wrestling
