Reference Values for Body Composition and Anthropometric Measurements in Athletes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097846
• Publication Date: 2014-05-15T20:56:20Z
• Authors: Diana A. Santos; John A. Dawson; Catarina N. Matias; Paulo M. Rocha; Cláudia S. Minderico; David B. Allison; Luís B. Sardinha; Analiza M. Silva
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 2. Zero hunger; Adolescent; Science; Q; R; Middle Aged; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Absorptiometry, Photon; 0302 clinical medicine; Athletes; Reference Values; Body Composition; Medicine; Humans; Female; Research Article

Background Despite the importance of body composition in athletes, reference sex- and sport-specific data are lacking. We aim to develop values for anthropometric measurements athletes. Methods Body weight height were measured 898 athletes (264 female, 634 male), variables assessed 798 (240 female 558 481 (142 339 male) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A total 21 different sports represented. Reference percentiles (5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 95th) calculated each value, stratified by sex sport. Because sample sizes within a sport often very low some outcomes, estimated using parametric, empirical Bayesian framework that allowed sharing information across sports. Results derived following DXA outcomes: (whole scan) regional (subtotal, trunk, appendicular) bone mineral content, density, absolute percentage fat mass, fat-free lean soft tissue. Additionally, we height-normalized indexes dividing appendicular tissue squared. also anthropometry weight, height, mass index, sum skinfold thicknesses (7 skinfolds, trunk arm leg skinfolds), circumferences (hip, arm, midthigh, calf, abdominal circumferences), muscle (arm, thigh, calf circumferences). Conclusions These will be helpful tool professionals, both clinical field settings, assessment