Date of Award
4-1992
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Human Performance and Health Education
First Advisor
Dr. Mary L. Dawson
Second Advisor
Dr. Roger Zabik
Third Advisor
Dr. Hal Ray
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the near infrared technique for assessing body composition. Hydrostatic weighing was used as the criterion measure to which skinfold technique and near infrared technique (as measured by the Futrex-5000) were compared. Two hundred subjects (115 females, 85 males) had their body composition assessed by the three techniques. The intraclass reliability of the Futrex-5000 was measured at r = .997. The Pearson product-moment correlation between hydrostatic weighing and the Futrex-5000 was r = .71 p < .01. The mean percent body fat derived from hydrostatic weighing was 19.3% compared to 21.6% for the Futrex-5000. At test indicated a significant difference between the mean percent body fats calculated by hydrostatic weighing and the Futrex-5000, t(160) = -5.21, p < .01. This study indicated that the Futrex-5000 was not as valid as either skinfold technique or hydrostatic weighing.
Recommended Citation
Hill, James W., "A Comparison of Percent Body Fat Calculated by Three Methods: Hydrostatic Weighing, Skinfolds, and Near Infrared Technique" (1992). Masters Theses. 877.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/877