Comparison of Selected Body Composition Parameters in Karate Athletes: Matiegka and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

The purpose of this study was to compare selected parameters of body composition obtained with two different methods in karate athletes. A cross sectional study was conducted in 23 male karate athletes, mean age 19.78 3.63years. Matiegka protocol (MAT), which is a classic anthropometric method, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which is a modern technique, were used to estimate body composition. Body fat percentage obtained by MAT (14.83 1.78%) was statistically insignificantly higher than body fat mass obtained by bioelectrical impedance (13.75 5.31 %). Body fat mass obtained with both methods was also insignificantly different (MAT vs BIA: 11.72 2.8 kg vs 11.14 5.8 kg). Matiegka’s lean body mass (LBM=66.76 10.63 kg) was insignificantly different from BIA’s corresponding parameters: fat-free mass, FFM= 69.24 9.59 kg and soft lean mass, SLM = 65.339.01 kg. The mean value of the muscle mass obtained by MAT (43.18 7.26 kg) was significantly higher than the mean value of the skeletal mass obtained by BIA (38.52 5.69 kg). The fat mass and body fat percentage obtained with both methods could be used interchangeably in body composition analysis. The lean body mass parameter, estimated by Matiegka, and FatFree Mass and Soft Lean Mass, determined by BIA, are also comparable.