Estimation of Percentage Body Fat Using Ultrasound Compared To Skinfold Technique in Physically Active Males

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences among the percent body fat (%BF) values of 21 physically active males measured by skinfold (SKF) and ultrasound (US) methods.

Methodology: Twenty one physically active males aged between 18 to 26 years old participants participated in this study voluntarily. %BF assessment was performed by the SKF and US methods. Differences among SKF and US were examined by applying a series of paired-t test.

Results: Ultrasound estimates of body fat percentage were correlated closely with physically active males (r = 0.97, standard error of the estimate = 1.79) and males (r= 0.98, standard error of the estimate = 0.96). The ultrasound technique in males had a low total error (0.93). The 95% limit of agreement was -0.06 ± 1.2 for all athletes and did not show an overprediction or underprediction bias. We developed a new model to produce body fat estimates with ultrasound and anthropometric dimensions.

Conclusion: From the study we have conducted the results were seen positive with ultrasound methods. Therefore the males should make sure that they are physically fit for work.

Keywords: Percent Body Fat, Skinfold Thickness, and Ultrasound.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Theoretical Framework1

Rationale of the Study2

Hypothesis3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

Skinfold Method6

Ultrasound Technique8

SKF VS US10

Healthy Adults12

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY14

Design of the Study14

Reliability and Validity of the Data14

Sample14

Apparatus and Procedure15

Skinfold Measurement16

Ultrasound Measurements17

CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS19

CHAPTER 5: RESULTS20

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION22

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS27

REFERENCES30

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Means of the seven SKF and US sites and their correlation to % BF

Table 2. Differences between mean values, standard deviations, and t value of SKF and US

Table 3. Regression equations for predicting % BF from SKF and US measurements

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Holtain Skinfold Caliper

Figure 2. Ultrasound imaging.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BF Body Fat

%BF Percent Body Fat

FM Fat Mass

FFM Fat Free Mass

LBM Lean Body Mass

BMI Body Mass Index

UWW under Water Weighing

BIA Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

SKF Skinfold

US Ultrasound

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Theoretical Framework

According to Lean, Han and Deurenberg (1996: 4), numerous techniques have been developed in order to assess %body fat (%BF) in human beings. Several techniques are available that estimate or predict %body fat (%BF) for instance: the two 'gold standards' or 'reference' technique's which are the Under Water Weighing (UWW) and the Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) ,and the prediction methods which are the computed tomography, bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), and a number of anthropometric techniques (SKF) of estimating %BF that is compared to the reference method with the anticipation of predicting the same value as the 'reference' technique. The common standard is underwater weighing (UWW) for a ...