Body Composition Flashcards

Which body composition assessment method is considered the gold standard for measuring body fat percentage in research settings?

Answer: Four-compartment model

The four-compartment model (4C) is the gold standard because it measures fat mass, water, mineral, and protein independently, minimizing assumptions about body composition.

A female endurance athlete has a body fat percentage of 14%. According to sports nutrition guidelines, which statement best applies?

Answer: This is within the healthy performance range for female endurance athletes

14% body fat falls within the accepted performance range for female endurance athletes (10–20%), and is above the essential fat threshold (~10–13%) for females.

When using skinfold calipers, which condition most significantly reduces measurement reliability?

Answer: Inter-tester variability between different assessors

Inter-tester variability is the largest source of error with skinfold measurements; the same tester (intra-tester) should perform repeated assessments for reliable tracking.

Fat-free mass (FFM) density is assumed to be 1.1 g/cc in the Siri two-compartment model. Which athlete population would most violate this assumption?

Answer: High-level weightlifters with high bone mineral density

Athletes with significantly higher bone mineral density, such as weightlifters, have a denser FFM than the assumed 1.1 g/cc, causing the 2C model to underestimate body fat.

During the off-season, an American football lineman gains 8 kg. DXA shows 5 kg is fat mass and 3 kg is fat-free mass. What does this suggest about his off-season diet?

Answer: His protein intake was sufficient but total calories were excessive

A gain predominantly of fat mass with a smaller FFM gain suggests a caloric surplus beyond what was needed to support lean tissue accretion, indicating excess total calorie intake.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimates body composition primarily by measuring:

Answer: The resistance of body tissues to a low-level electrical current

BIA passes a small electrical current through the body and measures impedance (resistance + reactance); fat-free mass, which contains more water and electrolytes, conducts electricity better than fat mass.

A sports dietitian tracks a wrestler's body composition throughout a season. Which metric is most clinically meaningful to monitor for health and performance risk?

Answer: Minimum wrestling weight (MWW) and rate of weight loss

Minimum wrestling weight and rate of weight loss are the most clinically relevant metrics for wrestlers because rapid, extreme weight cutting increases health risks and impairs performance.