Validation of percent body fat using skinfold-thickness, bioelectrical impedance analysis and standard hydrostatic method in male wrestlers

The aim of this present study was to determine and validate the percent body fat through skinfoldthickness and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using hydrostatic (standard method) among male wrestlers in Ahvaz city. To do so, 25 male wrestlers were selected randomly (N = 60). Statistical analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient, paired T-test, standard error estimation (SEE) and total error (TE). The statistical analysis shows that the skinfold-thickness method used by Lohman for wrestlers has a significant difference with hydrostatic method (standard method). Also, there was no significant difference between wrestlers in terms of bioelectrical impedance and standard method results (TE = 0.0078, SEE = 0.0071, R = 0.871, P = 0.297). Findings suggest that using BIA is a more suitable method to measure wrestlers’ percent body fat.