Optimum anthropometric criteria for ideal body composition related fitness

الملخص EN

Objectives : The three aims of this study were to establish equations for ideal body composition related fitness to be used by adults willing to gain optimum body composition related fitness ; to predict the possible symmetrical major muscle circumference, and to compute the ideal body fat percentage (BFP) with ideal body weight (IBW) based on the body mass index (BMI).

Methods : Twenty-four athletes were intentionally selected, with heights of 166-190 cm and aged 20-42 years, according to a judging committee that used modified International Fitness Federation criteria for the Mr.

Fitness competition “super body category”.

Common anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken for the following independent variables : body height, upper limb length, lower limb length, thigh length, arm length, shoulder width, forearm length, shank length, and wrist girth ; and for the following dependent variables : circumferences of shoulder, thigh, waist, hip, chest, biceps, forearm, shank, and neck.

Skin fold thickness was measured at three sites by a Harpenden caliper to calculate BFP.

Results : The findings indicate that there was a predictive correlation between major independent variables and body circumferences.

The mean range used to find out the ideal BFP percentage which was 5.6-6.7 %.

The BMI equation used to find the IBW was H2 × 23.77 ± 2 SE.

Stepwise multiple regressions were also used to derive predictive equations.

The most predictive independent variables were wrist girth and height.

Conclusion : It is suggested that the above equations, the ideal BFP percentage and the IBW be used as criteria in training sessions to achieve ideal body composition related fitness.