LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

1995

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Kinesiology

Arnold G. Nelson

Abstract

There is a need to eliminate the least accurate of the existing equations for anthropometrical body density prediction and support for the use of specific prediction equations over generalized equations. The purpose of the investigation was to examine the accuracy of the Jackson-Pollock (JP) and Durnin-Womersley (DW) generalized anthropometrical body density prediction equations in relation to indices of overall fatness, regional fat distribution and body proportionality. The relationships between prediction accuracy (predicted body density minus hydrodensitometric estimate of body density) and three mass/stature indices (total fatness indices), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WC/HC)(android/gynoid fat distribution) and the three components of the Heath-Carter somatotype (body proportionality) were examined. if the prediction equations were truly "generalized", no relationship between prediction accuracy and any of these indices should exist, rather accuracy should be random across the range of any index. Forty-five Caucasian males were recruited so that they were all similar with respect to age and overall adiposity to those subjects from which the JP and DW equations were derived. Results revealed no relationship (p \$>\$ 0.05) between JP accuracy and any of the fatness indices, WC/HC or the somatotype. Similar results were found to exist with regards to the DW accuracy relationship with the fatness indices and WC/HC (p \$>\$ 0.05). The accuracy of the DW equation was found to be significantly (p \$\le\$ 0.05) related to the components of the somatotype. The accuracy of the DW equation changed significantly as the components of the somatotype changed. Based on these results, it appears that the JP equation is accurate for generalized use across total adiposity as reflected by the mass/stature indices, regional fat distribution as reflected by WC/HC and body proportionality as reflected by the somatotype. The DW equation also appears to be accurate for generalized use across the total fatness and regional fatness indices. However, the DW equation is not generalized across a range of body proportionalities and its use as a "generalized" prediction equation is not recommended on a sample that varies from the original derivation sample with respect to body proportionality.

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