Abstract
The validity to estimate changes in body fat and lean body mass (LBM) through total body water and prediction equation based on triceps and subscapular skinfolds was evaluated after a jogging-type training program. Eight obese boys and 11 obese girls had their total body water determined by D2O dilution method and underwent a complete series of anthropometric measurements at begining and end of a 2-year program. There was no significant reduction in body weight but a significant change in body water as determined by D2O dilution method. When compared to the body water method, the prediction equation was found to be highly inconsistent. The change values of the prediction equation was significantly higher than the body water method. The actual changes in LBM and % Fat were found to have low correlations with the predicted changes of boys. In addition, the prediction equation gave significantly higher water content of LBM than criterion value.
This suggests that the practice of using prediction equation to estimate actual changes in body composition parameters after physical training program is basically unsound when used for research purposes.
