Correlation between body composition data obtained by DXA and skinfold predictive protocols in sprinters

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the correlation between body composition data obtained through DXA and through skinfolds strategy, with some of their respective formulas, in sprinters. The sample consisted of 15 male sprinters (23.81 years ± 3.11; 70.06 Kg ± 4.38; and 179.13 CM ± 5.16) all high performance runners of speed and barriers events (100m, 200m, 400m, 110m with barriers and 400m with barriers). The athletes were submitted to DXA evaluation procedure and to skinfolds collection (triceps, biceps, subscapular, supra iliac, abdominal, medial thigh and calf) and the results were calculated through four distinct equations: Slaughter, Faulkner, Lázari and Boileau. The respective DXA correlations (0.60; 0.81; 0.23 and 0.48) and the equations predicted by skinfold strategy were calculated using Pearson correlation. Among the equations used, Faulkner’s was the one presenting highest correlation value when compared to DXA protocol, although all of them aimed to estimate values for BF%.