Effect of a maximal treadmill test on percent body fat using leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis in children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of a maximal treadmill exercise test on percent body fat (%BF) in children using leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (LBIA) (Tanita Model #TBF-300A).


METHODS
Fifty-four children (24 females; 30 males) between 7-10 years of age participated in this study. LBIA measures of %BF were obtained immediately before and within 5 min after completing a maximal oxygen consumption test on a motorized treadmill.


RESULTS
No pre- to post-test differences in %BF were observed in either group (mean difference: females 1.6%, males 1.5%). Impedance values significantly decreased postexercise (P < 0.05) in the female subjects. No significant differences were observed for fat mass, fat free mass, total body water or body weight postexercise when compared to pre-exercise values in either group. Correlations (P = 0.0001) of 0.997 were observed between pre- and postexercise measures of %BF.


CONCLUSIONS
A maximal treadmill exercise test conducted prior to LBIA has no impact on %BF in children. Therefore, normal daily activities performed prior to LBIA assessment may have a limited impact on LBIA body composition measurement in children. As such, compliance with stringent pretesting exercise guidelines may not be essential when using LBIA to assess %BF in children.
Andreacci
J L
JL
Department of Exercise Science, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA. jandreac@bloomu.edu
Dixon
C B
CB
Lagomarsine
M
M
Ledezma
C
C
Goss
F L
FL
Robertson
R J
RJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D050154:Adiposity; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D017678:Sex Distribution