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Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition Assessed Using DXA and Surface Anthropometry Show Good Agreement in Elite Rugby Union Athletes
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition Assessed Using DXA and Surface Anthropometry Show Good Agreement in Elite Rugby Union Athletes

Adam J Zemski, Shelley E Keating, Elizabeth M Broad and Gary J Slater
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Vol.29(1), pp.24-31
2019
PMID: 29757050
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PDF - Author Accepted Version612.27 kBDownloadView
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url
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0019View
Published Version

Abstract

body fat fat free mass fat mass skinfolds
Rugby union athletes have divergent body composition based on the demands of their on-field playing position and ethnicity. With an established association between physique traits and positional requirements, body composition assessment is routinely undertaken. Surface anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are the most common assessment techniques utilised, often undertaken synchronously. This study aims to investigate the association between DXA and surface anthropometry when assessing longitudinal changes in fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in rugby union athletes. Thirty-nine elite male rugby union athletes (age 25.7±3.1 years; stature 187.6±7.7 cm; mass 104.1±12.2 kg) underwent assessment via DXA and surface anthropometry multiple times over three consecutive international seasons. Changes in the lean mass index (LMI), an empirical measure to assess proportional variation in FFM, showed large agreement with changes in DXA FFM (r=0.54, SEE=1.5%, P<0.001); the strength of association stronger amongst forwards (r=0.63) compared with backs (r=0.38). Changes in the sum of 7 skinfolds (S7SF) showed very large agreement with changes in DXA FM (r=0.73, SEE=5.8%, P<0.001), with meaningful differences observed regardless of ethnicity (Caucasians r=0.75; Polynesians r=0.62). The LMI and S7SF were able to predict the direction of change in FFM and FM, respectively, 86% and 91% of the time when DXA change was >1kg. Surface anthropometry measures provide a robust indication of the direction of change in FFM and FM, although caution may need to be applied when interpreting magnitude of change, particularly with FM.

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Web Of Science research areas
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sport Sciences
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