Abstract

Measurements from 44 highly skilled women gymnasts were used to evaluate previously derived equations for estimating body composition and to develop newequations by step-wise linear regression. True composition values were computed from body density (DB). Measures were taken of skeletal diameters (D),circumferences (C) and skinfolds (SF). Equations evaluated were those by Sloanet al. F. Katch and Michael, Wilmore and Behnke, F. Katch and McArdle andWeltman and V. Katch. With exception of the Weltman-Katch equation, correlations between true and estimated LBWs were high (.91 to .95) but underestimated true LBW 1.13 to 3.88 kg. Regression analysis suggested adjustment ofordinate values would give these equations acceptable accuracy for use withwomen gymnasts. New equations were derived from variables that had beenselected by using factor analysis to minimize shared variance. Equationsderived were DB = 1.024620 + .002024 Neck C - .001435 Supra-iliac SF -.001039Juxta-umbilicus SF (R.806, +/- .0061); Fat = .3798 - .5809 Neck C + .3253 Abdominal C + .3007 Supra-iliac SF + .2047 Juxta-umbilicus SF, (R.891, +/- 1.29)and LBW = .3973 Height + .8357 Neck C + .4317 Shoulder C - 87.203 (R .923, +/1.75). Verf.-Referat