Correlation of Different Anthropometric Methods and Bioelectric Impedance in Assessing Body Fat Percentage of Professional Male Athletes

Introduction: Studies examining correlation of existing anthropometric methods developed for specific and general athlete population and BIA method are much more scarce and often conducted using only one anthropometry method for comparison with BIA method per study. Aim: Examination of the correlation between different anthropometric methods and BIA method in assessing body fat percentage of general male athlete population. Method: The study was conducted using 85 professional athletes from Serbia, average age of 23,7 ± 4,3 years. Correlation between anthropometric methods and BIA method was examined using Spearman rang correlation. Sixteen anthropometric equations using a total of ten skinfolds were selected from eleven anthropometric methods developed for specific or general male athlete population. Results: All sixteen anthropometric equations revealed a strong correlation with BIA method. Faulkner’s anthropometric skinfold equation (%BF = 5,783 + (0,153 (triceps + subscapular + supra-iliac + abdominal)) revealed the strongest correlation coefficient (r_s = 0,792) and the shortest bias-corrected and accelerated confidence interval length (BCa CI 95% (0,712 - 0,849)). Conclusion: Even though ten of the sixteen anthropometric equations revealed a very strong correlation, Faulkner’s equation showed the largest Spearman’s correlation coefficient with BIA method in assessing body fat of professional male athletes. Faulkner’s equation may be the best candidate that can be used as replacement of BIA method for general male athlete population. It would be useful and interesting to repeat a similar study with the addition of one of the referent methods from the second level of validity group.