Title
The relationship between body mass index and percent body fat in masters level competitive athletes
Year of Publication
2014
Date of Thesis
05-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Exercise and Sport Sciences
Subject Categories
Athletes -- Anthropometry; Body composition -- measurement; Hydrostatics -- technique
Abstract
To better understand the relationship between BMI and %BF in an older athletic population, BMI and %BF were measured in masters athletes (N = 35, Nmale = 24, Nfemale = 11), between 45-65 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, BMI, and %BF via hydrostatic densitometry were determined and compared to the general population. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare measures of body size and composition between the general population and masters athletes. Results indicated that masters athletes had a significantly lower BMI and waist circumference compared to the general population. A chi-squared analysis for goodness of fit was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of BMI and waist circumference. Results indicated that for the cut point of 25 kg.m-2, BMI was 100% sensitive and 64% specific, indicating that the accuracy of BMI is limited in this population. In summary, masters athletes were more often identified as overweight but were not overfat based on %BF, and had significantly lower BMI and waist circumference when compared to the general population.
Recommended Citation
Fitzpatrick, Michael A. IV, "The relationship between body mass index and percent body fat in masters level competitive athletes" (2014). Ithaca College Theses. 11.
https://digitalcommons.ithaca.edu/ic_theses/11