VALIDITY OF PERCENT BODY-FAT ESTIMATIONS IN MALES

The present investigation examined the validity of selected skinfold ( Sum3), near-infrared interactance (F5000 and F1000), and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) equations for estimating percent body fat (% fat) in young adult males (X age +/- SD = 22 +/- 3 yr) by comparing the estima tes with values obtained from underwater weighing. Fifty-seven Caucasi an male (X % fat +/- SD = 15.1 +/- 6.2) volunteers served as subjects. The statistical analyses included examination of constant error (CE), standard error of estimate (SEE), r, and total error (TE). The result s indicated that the Sum3 equation had the lowest SEE (2.7% fat) and T E (3.6% fat) as well as the highest validity coefficient (r = 0.90). T he F5000, however, had the lowest CE (-1.0% fat). Based on these findi ngs, the Sum3 equation is recommended over the F5000 (TE = 4.2% fat), F1000 (TE = 6.1% fat), and BIA(TE = 5.0% fat) equations for estimating % fat in young adult males.