Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/52547
Title: Comparison of Body Composition Assessment Methods in Professional Urban Firefighters
Contributor(s): Smee, Disa J (author); Walker, Anthony (author); Rattray, Ben (author); Cooke, Julie A (author); Serpell, Ben G  (author)orcid ; Pumpa, Kate L (author)
Publication Date: 2019-05
DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0040
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/52547
Abstract: 

Given the importance of body composition in maintaining optimal physical and functional capacities, the use of appropriate, field-based assessment tools should be a priority to assist in maintaining the occupational safety of firefighters and the community. For ease, body mass index has often been used to assess these changes. However, it is limited in its accuracy. The purposes of this study were twofold: (a) to compare the validity of different measures of body composition against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in urban firefighters and (b) to assess these measures in their ability to provide meaningful interpretation of criteria-driven categories of adiposity. A total of 64 male firefighters (age = 44.0 ± 9.5 years) underwent full anthropometric profiling (predictor equations used to determine body fat percentage [BF%]), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and DXA assessments. Participants’ body mass index was calculated, and BF% and lean mass were determined along with criteria-driven categorizations of adiposity. Anthropometric (skinfolds) predictor equations (e.g., mean bias = −4.4% for BF%) were typically closer to DXA measures, compared with BIA (9.4% for BF%). However, when determining categories of criteria-driven adiposity, BIA (42.9% overweight or obese) provided closer estimates to the DXA-determined distribution (44.6%) than anthropometric-based measures (up to 40%). Body mass index appears an inappropriate measure for accurately determining categories of adiposity with 64.1% classified as overweight or obese. Given the logistical constraints of anthropometric profiling, and the closeness of BIA to DXA in adiposity categories, BIA may be a suitable alternative to DXA for assessing body composition in professional urban firefighters.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 29(3), p. 282-288
Publisher: Human Kinetics, Inc
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 1543-2742
1526-484X
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 420799 Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified
420702 Exercise physiology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 209999 Other health not elsewhere classified
130699 Sport, exercise and recreation not elsewhere classified
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Science and Technology

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