lab report

A comparison of different techniques to measure percentage body fat

You are to produce a lab report showing the relationships between different methods that are commonly used to measure percentage body fat. We are interested in how percentage body fat measured using skinfold callipers and air displacement (BodPod) technology correspond with percentage body fat measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). You will be provided spreadsheets of data that was collected from previous body composition practical sessions. The lab report should be around 500 words (± 10%) and submitted by the due date. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Your lab report should consist of the following components:

Results:
The demographic and percentage body fat data using each of the three methods should be presented in a table. For each subject, the age, sex, height, mass, body mass index and percentage fat (for skinfolds, DXA and BodPod) should be reported. Next plot a graph (using MS Excel) that includes all subject data with % body fat on the Y-axis (obtained from the DXA scanner) and % body fat on the X-axis (obtained from the BodPod). Include this graph in your report as Figure 1. Generate a second figure only this time you should include % body fat on the X-axis obtained from the skinfold measurements. Include r values and regression equations on all fitted line plots that you generate. You are free to generate additional tables and figures that you feel will be appropriate to address the discussion questions that you have been given.
It is important that you present a clear explanation of what is represented in each figure. A brief statement of the results should be provided in this section to do just that.

Discussion:

It is important to discuss the results in relation to what has previously been found in the scientific literature. When producing the discussion, you should address the following points:

1)    Which %body fat measurement method (skin folds or BodPod) was most accurate in comparison to the DXA method (gold standard)? Are these findings consistent with what has been published previously in the scientific literature?
2)    Discuss any patterns you noticed in the data. For example, was one method more accurate when high or low scores of %body fat are considered? Did age or sex have an influence on the results? Are these patterns supported or refuted by previous studies in the literature?
3)    What limitations are associated with each of the three methods? Under what circumstances would it be preferable to measure %body fat using one method over another?

KEY POINT
Remember to use literature sources when answering these questions.

References:
A lot of marks are awarded for this part of the assignment so you should take great care when using and presenting references. The reference section is not a bibliography. All references cited in the text must be included in the reference section and vice versa. Use the Harvard style of referencing only. I would recommend that you consult the referencing format from a paper published in the Journal of Sports Sciences and stick to it rigorously. Ensure you provide a complete and accurate reference section. It is expected that you include 5-7 references in your report. Credit will be given to those who use original and contemporary research articles.

Assignment Submission:
This assignment must be submitted before 5pm on the due date via the assignment drop box on Blackboard. It will be checked by Turnitin® to for plagiarism. Any evidence of academic misconduct in this way will result in failure!