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Roberts, J.W Med Sci Sports Exerc 39(5) Supplement May 2007 p S403
Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro , PA. (Email: jroberts@edinboro.edu )
PURPOSE : To determine the effectiveness of the previously used practice of physician observation for placing Pennsylvania high school wrestlers in minimum weight classifications. METHODS : A total of 23 male wrestlers (age 16.0+/-1.3yr) from Northwestern PA , underwent the experimental procedures of body composition assessment using physician observation ( PO ) to determine official weight classifications. Then the subjects were tested via skinfold assessment (SF), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and hydrostatic weighing (HW) with urinalysis using specific gravity to determine minimum weight class. Height, body mass and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) were also determined. RESULTS : BIA follow-up testing of 23 subjects revealed that 10 official placements in weight classes were correct. Of the 13 others, there was an average placement error of 1.61 weight classes
Skinfold testing indicated 9 wrestlers had appropriate placements with the other 14 subjects being placed an average of 1.5 classifications off. Hydrostatic weighing resulted in 12 wrestlers being assigned to the same (or higher) weight class as the official measurements. Eleven wrestlers were off an average of 1.82 weight classes via hydrostatic weighing. In addition, 4 subjects HW results were significantly higher than BIA and SF. These 4 subjects were included in the 12 that were equal to the official placements but it is likely that at least one of them would have been misplaced.
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