Determination of body density in prepubescent males, age 7-11

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a reliable technique for determining body density in prepubescent males, age 7-11. Reliability was assessed by test-retest of 41 prepubescent males (X age 9.3 years, SD + 1.2). A mean body density value of 1.053 gm/cc (SD + .011) was found during both trials. A correlated test revealed no significant difference (P > .05) between the two trials . A correlation of .99 was also observed between body density values o f trial one and trial two. Validity was established by hydrostatically weighing 21 college-age students (X age 20.7 years, SD .t 1.4) both the standard technique and proposed modification. Mean body density values of 1.056 gm/cc (SD + .O17) and 1.057 gm/cc (-SD -+ .017) were found by these two techniques. A correlated 2 test revealed no significant difference between the two methods. A correlation of 1.00 between the body density values obtained by the two techniques was also reported.