Body Composition Profiles of Elite American Heptathletes
Abstract
This study characterized body composition profiles of elite American heptathletes and cross-validated skinfold (SKF) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) field method equations for estimation of percent body fat (%Fat) using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the criterion. Weight, height, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), bone mineral density (BMD), and %Fat were measured in 19 heptathletes using standard measurement protocols for DXA, SKFs and BIA. The ages, heights, and weights were respectively 25.5 +/- 3.5 years, 175.0 +/- 6.6 cm, 67.3 +/- 7.1 kg. DXA estimates of mean +/- SD values for body composition variables were 57.2 +/- 6.1 kg FFM, 10.1 +/- 2.6 kg FM, 114 +/- 7% BMD for age/racial reference group, and 15 +/- 3.0 %Fat. Ranges of bias values for %Fat (DXA minus SKF or BIA) were, respectively, -0.5 to 1.6% and -5.5 to -1.2%. Ranges for standard errors of estimate and total errors were, respectively, SKF 2.4-2.5%, 2.4 - 2.8% and BIA 3.0%, 5.0-6.5%. Regression analyses of the field methods on DXA were significant (p < .05) for all SKF equations but not BIA equations. This study demonstrates that elite American heptathletes are lean, have high levels of BMD, and that SKF equations provide more accurate estimates of %Fat relative to DXA than estimates from BIA equations.
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The Houtkooper et al. (2001) sample was considerably leaner than the sample included in the EQ3 development.
“Noteworthy, their sample was considerably leaner than the sample included in the EQ3 development.”
From External validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis equations for body composition against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Mexican recreational runners (2025) · cites this paper as Houtkooper et al. (2001)
The equation overestimated FM in the Houtkooper et al. (2001) sample by 4.4%.
“The equation overestimated the FM in the Houtkooper et al. (2001) sample by 4.4%.”
From External validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis equations for body composition against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Mexican recreational runners (2025) · cites this paper as Houtkooper et al. (2001)
In other studies, a weak relationship between DXA and EQ3 predictions has been reported, particularly among female athletes; Houtkooper et al. (2001) reported an R2 = 0.10 for %FM when comparing DXA using EQ3 in nineteen heptathletes.
“In other studies, a weak relationship between DXA and EQ3 predictions has been reported, particularly among female athletes.Houtkooper et al. (2001) reported an R 2 = 0.10 for a %FM when comparing DXA using EQ3 in a group of nineteen heptathletes.”
From External validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis equations for body composition against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Mexican recreational runners (2025) · cites this paper as Houtkooper et al. (2001)
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- Authors
- Houtkooper, L. B., Mullins, V. A., Going, S. B., Brown, C. H., & Lohman, T. G.
- Affiliations
- University of Arizona (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 2001-06
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 162-173
- ISSN
- 1526-484X (ISSN-L)
- 1543-2742
- OpenAlex
- W191858536
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Training Studies
- Keywords
- body composition, heptathlon, elite athletes, skinfold thickness, bioelectrical impedance analysis, body fat percentage, fat-free mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, cross-validation
- MeSH terms
- Adipose Tissue, Adult, Body Composition, Female, Humans, Sensitivity and Specificity, Skinfold Thickness, Sports, Reproducibility of Results, Absorptiometry, Photon, Bone Density, Electric Impedance, Muscle, Skeletal
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