Conservative Clothing Effects on Body Composition Assessment by Air Displacement Plethysmography

Authors

Shaun L. Orvell, San Jose State University
Kasuen Mauldin, San Jose State UniversityFollow
John Gieng, San Jose State UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2021

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Exercise Science

Volume

14

Issue

4

First Page

687

Last Page

695

Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(4): 687-695, 2021. Form-fitting spandex swimsuits or single-layer compression shorts are recommended during BOD POD® testing to ensure accurate results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various outfit types on body composition measurements using the BOD POD®, and self-reported comfort level wearing each outfit. Twenty-one participants, 8 females and 13 males, (age 31.6 ± 9.8 years) wore a spandex swim cap and three different outfits during BOD POD® testing (manufacturer-recommended form-fitting spandex swimsuit, short sleeve spandex, long sleeve spandex). Measured variables include body mass, body fat percentage, body volume, and self-reported comfort level wearing each outfit. Calculated variables include BMI and body density. Mean body density when wearing the control outfit was 0.004 g/cm3 lower than both short (p < 0.001) and long sleeve (p = 0.001) alternatives. Short and long sleeve outfits resulted in body fat percentage underestimations of 2.0% and 2.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The short sleeve outfit had the highest mean comfort rating followed by the long sleeve outfit, and the lowest was the control swimsuits. The short sleeve outfit and control outfit had the largest differences in reported comfort levels (p < 0.05). Wearing short and long sleeve spandex outfits instead of recommended form-fitting swimsuits resulted in body density increases and body fat percentage underestimations. Participants should follow manufacturer recommendations by wearing spandex swimsuits. Participants had higher self-reported comfort levels when wearing short or long sleeve outfits.

Keywords

BOD POD®, spandex, outfits, body fat percentage, body volume, body density, comfort level

Comments

This is the Version of Record and can also find it online here

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Department

Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging

Recommended Citation

Shaun L. Orvell, Kasuen Mauldin, and John Gieng. "Conservative Clothing Effects on Body Composition Assessment by Air Displacement Plethysmography" International Journal of Exercise Science (2021): 687-695.