Validation of selected skinfold calipers and body density prediction equations for measuring body composition of nonathletic college aged males and females

Bibliography: pages 84-89.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability and specificity of four different skinfold calipers and prediction equations in the analysis of body composition. Fifty males (age: X̅ = 21.5, SD = 2.367) and forty-eight females (age: X̅ = 21.42, SD = 2.112) from the nonathletic student population were studied. Skinfold measures were taken, five for women and four for men, as necessitated by the equations under study. Cross-validation of four selected equations on the males revealed validity coefficients ranging from R² = 0.08255 to 0.62994, and total-error scores ranging from 0.00011 to 0.00769 g.mlˉ¹ Among the females, cross validation of four equations revealed validity coefficients ranging from R² = 0.2383 to 0.50353, and total error scores ranging from 0.00004 to 0.00258 g.mlˉ¹ The constant error was within ±3%, except for the Forsyth and Sinning equation with 4% error. Correlation between calculated and predicted body density ranged from r = 0.2172 to 0.7646 for males, and r = 0.4882 to 0.7010 for females. For males, the best predicted body density value was derived from the Durnin and Womersley equation applied to the Lange caliper. The Durnin and Womersley equation was most stable across calipers with a correct classification of 64%. For females, the best predicted body density value was derived from the Sloan, Burt, and Blyth equation using the Fat-O-Meter caliper. The Durnin and Womersley, and Sloan, Burt, and Blyth equations for females were most stable across calipers with 48.9% and 45.8% correct classification, respectively. The four tested calipers were found to be reliable (r = . 89) for skinfold thickness. The Fat-O-Meter had the least variability for both males and females. Across equations, the Fat-O-Meter was most stable for males, with 80% correct classification; and the Slim-Guide was most stable for females, with 62.5% correct classification. The results showed caliper equation specificity determined by the location of the skinfold sites utilized in the equations.M.S. Ed. (Master of Education