Body Composition Analysis in U.S. Navy Divers
Abstract
Physical readiness and body makeup are considered fundamental attributes of U.S. Navy divers. Methods to objectively determine body makeup are fraught with shortcomings and can be technically challenging, particularly in field operations. Two potential field methods of determining body composition, densitometry and deuterium oxide dilution, were assessed and compared in the laboratory. Ten healthy male U.S. Navy divers volunteered for testing by both techniques. Body composition data were then compared between methods and to published data. Significant variability was found in measurements derived by the deuterium oxide dilution method (mean coefficient of variation 4.6%). Normalizing this method to densitometry by linear regression demonstrates a theoretical hydration "constant" for lean body mass of 0.833 + 0.009. Published values for this "constant" are typically cited as 0.712, but without substantive experimental support. Deutenum oxide dilution is an insensitive technique for determining small changes in body composition. Published anthropomeflic data are unreliable if not specifically analyzed and interpreted in the context of the population studied.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA407354
Entities
People
- David D. Gummin
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center