Body Composition in Recreational Surfers

Hannah Branca
Elena Garcia
Andrew Granillo
Christy LaLanne
Nathaniel Navarro
Jose Ochoa
Patricia Okerblom
Emmalee Tagulao
Madison Woodworth

Abstract
Background: Previous research has investigated the effects that professional surfing
has on body composition. There has not been any known research conducted on the
body composition of recreational surfers. The rising population of obese persons in the
United States has prompted increased focus on the promotion of exercise.
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect that recreational surfing has on BMI
and body composition in order to determine if recreational surfing can be used as a
sufficient mode of exercise for maintaining healthy body composition.
Hypothesis: Recreational surfers will fall within healthy body composition ranges as
outlined by ACSM, as well as healthy ranges for BMI as outlined by the CDC.
Methods: BMI and body composition of recreational surfers were measured and
analyzed. Height and weight were taken on a scale to calculate BMI. Depending on
gender, three site skinfold measurements were taken to calculate body density and
used to determine body fat percentage. Body composition was measured with more
accuracy using the BodPod following proper calibration and measuring techniques.
Results: The BMI of our subjects fell within the CDC normal range for six of the eight
sample groups. Data obtained for body fat percentage showed all groups fell within the
ACSM guidelines for fair body composition or better. Four out of five of the sample
groups tested for BodPod fell into the good category or better and seven out of eight of
the sample groups for skinfold fell into the good category or better.
Conclusion: Our results show that recreational surfers fall within healthy ranges for
BMI and body composition. This implies that recreational surfing may be an adequate
form of exercise to maintain a healthy body composition.
Introduction
In the United States, 34.9% of adults aged 20 years or older (Ogden) are obese
according to the classification in adults of having a Body Mass Index of 30 or greater
(Fryhofer). This large population carries an excessive amount of fat mass (FM). Fat
Mass is the amount of non-essential fat stored mainly in adipose tissue. Fat free mass
(FFM) is the body weight that includes protein, water, bone, organs, and essential fat.
Body composition measures the amount of FFM versus the amount of FM (MendezVillanueva and Bishop, 2005). An excess amount of fat mass can increase the threat of
mortality and other chronic diseases (Mendez-Villanueva and Bishop, 2005). Due to this
increased threat, obesity has been a major focus for public health efforts in order to get
individuals to work towards living a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Body composition is measured many different ways which vary in accuracy, but
in medical facilities it is often measured using Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated
by dividing an individuals weight (kg) by their height (m 2). According to the CDC (2015),
individuals who are 20 years of age or older who have a Body Mass Index (BMI)
between 18.5- 24.9 are healthy, while a BMI between 25-29.9 is categorized as
overweight and a BMI of 30 and above is categorized as obese. BMI is not as accurate

as some other types of measurements due to different body types. For example, some
well-trained individuals have high muscle density, which may result in a high BMI when
they actually have a very low fat percentage (American Heart Association, 2014).
Another means of measuring body composition is by using a skin caliper device
that measures overall lean body mass for all types of individuals. These two completely
different forms of assessing body composition are simple and easy to complete in mass
amounts; however, they are not accurate enough to determine the overall health of an
individual.
A more accurate measurement of body composition is found by using an air
displacement plethysmograph device known as the BodPod. This machine accurately
measures the body fat percentage (BF%) of an individual by using air displacement to
measure whole body densitometry. Body mass is used in conjunction with the measured
body volume to determine whole body density, which is used to calculate BF%. The
BodPod is capable of measuring BF% within a 1% error margin and is comparable to
hydrostatic weighing, which has been the gold standard for BF% measurements in the
past.
Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risks of mortality and other
chronic diseases in those who have an unhealthy amount of fat mass. Center of
Disease Control reports that in order to be healthy you need at least 2 hours and 30
minutes of exercise per week and 2 or more days a week doing muscular strength
exercises.
Professional surfing is an intermittent, high performance sport requiring the
athlete to perform multiple aerobic endurance strokes as well as anaerobic explosive
paddles (Farley et. al., 2012). In spite of a rise in the popularity of recreational surfing in
recent years, the information on recreational surfers is very limited. Most studies
available have investigated professional surfers only. Research has shown the average
body fat percentages of professional surfers is 10.5% for males and 19.5% for females
(Mendez-Villanueva and Bishop). Likewise Barlow et. al measured the body
composition in professional surfers, junior surfers and intermediate surfers. He used
skinfold measurements to calculated body fat percentage and found their BMI using
height and weight. Barlow found that professional surfers had an average BMI of 24.99
and a BF% of 11.28, junior surfers had a BMI of 20.91 and a BF% of 8.41 and
intermediate surfers had a BMI of 23.9 and a BF% of 10.87.
To our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the BMI and body
composition profiles of recreational surfers. This study aims to investigate the effect
that recreational surfing has on BMI and body composition in order to determine if
recreational surfing is a sufficient mode of exercise for maintaining healthy body
composition. We hypothesize that recreational surfers will fall within the healthy body
fat percentages and BMI. To determine this, we will use measurements for height and
weight for BMI, as well as skin caliper measurements and BodPod Air Displacement

Plethysmography for determination of body composition, including body fat percentage

and lean body mass percentage.
Methods
Subjects
A research study was conducted in 113 recreational surfers with 96 male and 17
female subjects ages 18-70 years old with a minimum of one year surfing experience.
Exclusion criteria for potential subjects included excessive facial hair because air may
get trapped in a subjects beard causing inaccuracies with the BodPod measurements.
Subjects had to confirm surfing as their primary form of exercise.
Protocol
All laboratory based research was conducted at California State University San
Marcos in the Kinesiology department. The BodPod system was turned on and
calibrated thirty minutes prior to subjects entering the laboratory. Subjects were
requested to abstain from any form of exercise, ingestion of food and excess amounts
of fluids three hours prior to the test. Each subject that arrived was presented with a
consent form that described the background, purpose of the study and explained any
potential risks involved with the body composition tests. After the subjects signed the
consent form they were given a questionnaire about their demographics and their
surfing background. The questionnaire gathered information about the subjects
estimated height and weight, preferred surfing location, board type, fin setup, and
average time spent surfing.
Three tests with varying accuracies were conducted on each subject. Body mass
index (BMI) was obtained by measuring the subjects weight (lbs.) and height (cm).
Weight was converted to kilograms and height was converted to meters to calculate
BMI by dividing the subjects weight (kg) by their height (m 2). After BMI was measured,
the three site skinfold measurements were performed through the use of a Lange Skin
Caliper. The skinfold test required three different areas of the body to be measured for
males and females. After the skinfold test, the subjects were asked to change into
BodPod appropriate attire which consisted of spandex shorts, a swim cap and a sports
bra for females with no wire. All subjects were instructed to move any jewelry or
glasses.
The subjects information was entered into the BodPod system and additional
calibrations were performed. The subject was asked to step on the BodPod scale to
obtain an accurate weight measurement. After obtaining the subjects mass, the subject
was briefed on correct BodPod protocol and the subject entered the BodPod. The
BodPod obtained the subjects volume through its air displacement technology. A
minimum of two measurements were taken before performing additional measurements
using thoracic gas volume. If any inconsistencies were detected through the first two
measurements, then a third measurement was performed. After the first set of
measurements, the thoracic gas volume measurement was performed by breathing

normal followed by placing a tube into their mouth and continuing to breath normal as
the subject followed prompts from the BodPod system. To obtain the subjects residual
lung volume, on their last exhalation the subject was instructing to perform a breathing
technique called huffing. After the residual lung volume was obtained, the subject exited
the BodPod. A results sheet was printed from the BodPod with a summary of the the
measurements taken. Two copies of the results were printed, one for research records
and one for the subject to keep with the results from the 3 different measurements that
were performed.
Measurements
This study obtained body composition through three different measurements.
Subjects initial test was used to determine body composition by calculating Body Mass
Index (BMI) using subjects height (inches) and weight (lbs.). When stepping onto the
scale subjects were asked to take off their shoes for a more accurate reading. Once this
information was acquired, conversion from height in meters and weight in kilograms
were made in order to calculate subjects BMI.
The three site skinfold measurements were taken on the right side of the subject
using skin calipers. Male subjects are measured at the thigh, chest, and abdomen.
When measuring the thigh, subjects were asked to stand on one leg for accessibility to
pinch their skin. They were then measured using a vertical pinch at the midpoint
between the inguinal fold and the patella. Two measurements were acquired and the
average of the two measurements was used in the final equation. The abdomen pinch
was performed, which was a vertical pinch an inch adjacent to the umbilicus. The third
site for male subjects was the site at the chest which is measured midway between the
axilla and the nipple using a diagonal pinch. The thigh, tricep, and suprailiac sites are
measured for female subjects. Thigh skinfold measurement was done on subjects
equivalent to the mens test. Tricep pinch was a vertical pinch taken between subjects
olecranon and acromion process. The suprailiac measurement was taken above their
suprailiac crest with a diagonal pinch. After obtaining the subjects skinfold average
measurements, the researcher used the Jackson Pollack equation to determine the
subjects body density. Depending on their gender, the subjects calculated body density
was inserted in the Siri equation or the Lohman equation, and their body fat percentage
was calculated. While a researcher was conducting these calculations, the subject
proceeded to the BodPod test.
Subjects information was entered into the computer for records before starting
BodPod measurements. The subject was asked to take off loose clothing, jewelry, and
eyeglasses. Both male and female subjects were asked to put a swim cap on to cover
all of the hair on their head, and to put spandex on. The subject was asked to step on
the BodPod scale to obtain an accurate mass measurement. Before entering the
BodPod, the subject was instructed on proper BodPod procedure which consisted of
normal, relaxed breathing and limiting all movement. If the subject felt uncomfortable or
claustrophobic at any time during testing they were instructed to press the blue button to

demagnetize the doors located at their left calf. The subject was informed to enter the
BodPod.
During the body volume measurement, the subject breathes normally, known as
relaxed tidal breathing, which typically requires maximal exhalation to residual volume.
Subject is seated in BodPod as the computer analyzes and takes measurements. The
BodPod took two body volume measurements and the average of the two were used. If
the two measurements were inconsistent the BodPod would prompt for a third
measurement to be performed. To achieve optimal accuracy, volume of air in the
subjects lungs must be determined. The relevant measurement of lung volume for
BodPod is not residual volume, but the average lung volume during normal tidal
breathing (average thoracic gas volume). This may be done either by directly measuring
the average thoracic lung volume or by using an estimated value based on standard
prediction equations. The subject was asked to breathe normally, and after 15 seconds
they were prompted to plug their nose and breathe through the tube. Proceeding
another 15-20 seconds, the subject was prompted and asked to huff three times on their
final exhalation for remaining lung volume measurements. Once the system obtained
the lung volume measurements successfully, the subject was asked their activity level in
their own opinion; levels between sedentary, low active, active, and very active. Upon
completion, the subject was given a print out of results from all 3 measurements and
debriefed by a researcher. All subjects results and data were then recorded.
Results
Based on the questionnaire the subjects average surfing experience was 24
years 13.6, the average time spent surfing per week was 8.05 hours 3.69 and
average age was 42 10.73. Average Body Mass Index for females aged 18-29 was
19.95 1.86, aged 40-49 was 23.03 3.82 and females between 50-59 had an average
BMI of 23.70 0.28 (Figure 1). All three of these groups fell within the CDC healthy
range. Average BMI of males between 18-29 was 23.03 3.07, 30-39 years old was
24.81 3.10, 40-49 years old was 24.03 1.60 (Figure 2). All three of these groups fell
within the CDC healthy range. Average BMI of males aged 50-59 was 20.69 3.40
and 60-69 year olds average BMI was 28.82 2.15. These two groups fell within the
overweight range.
Mean female body fat percentage measured by the BodPod for subjects 18-29
years old was 18.87 1.37% which falls within the ACSM good range (Figure 3).
Mean female body fat percentage from skinfold measurements for subjects 18-29 years
old was 19.47 5.19% which falls within the ACSM good range, subjects 40-49 years
old was 18.77 6.17% which falls within the ACSM excellent range and subjects 5059 years old was 29.41 0.01% which falls within the ACSM fair range (Figure 4).
Mean percent body fat for males as measured by the BodPod for subjects 18-29 years
old was 12.59 6.83% which falls within the ACSM good range, subjects 30-39 years
old was 16.56 6.38% which falls within the ACSM good range, subjects 40-49 years

old was 17.00 4.89% which falls within the ACSM excellent range and subjects 5059 years old was 23.10 3.89% which falls within the ACSM fair range (Figure 5).
Mean male body fat percentage from skinfold measurements for subjects 18-29 years
old was 11.28% 4.51% which falls between the ACSM good and excellent ranges,
subjects 30-39 years old was 14.39% 5.27% which falls within the ACSM good
range, subjects 40-49 years old was 17.11% 3.86% which falls within the ACSM
excellent range, subjects 50-59 years old was 19.47% 6.32 which falls between the
ACSM good and excellent ranges and subjects 60-69 years old was 17.16% 5.59%
which falls within the ACSM very lean range (Figure 6).
A two tailed paired t-test revealed that BodPod measurements were significantly
higher than skinfold measurements with a mean difference of 1.72% (p=0.011) (Figure
7).

Figure 1: Mean Body Mass Index of females by age range.

Figure 2: Mean Body Mass Index of males by age range.

Figure 3: Mean body fat percentage of females measured from BodPod.

Figure 4: Mean body fat percentage of females by age range from skinfolds.

Figure 5: Mean body fat percentage of males by age range from BodPod.

Figure 6: Mean body fat percentage of males by age range from skinfolds.

Figure 7: Comparison of mean body fat percentage from Skinfolds vs. BodPod.
Discussion
The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not recreational surfers
fall into healthy ranges for BMI and body composition. The BMI of our subjects fell
within the CDC normal range for six of the eight sample groups. Two of our sample
groups fell within the CDC overweight range. Given that BMI measurements do not
take FFM and FM percentages into considerations, this information cannot be used to
definitively infer health levels in the recreational surfing population.
Data obtained for body fat percentage showed all groups fell within the ACSM
guidelines for fair body composition or better. Four out of five of the sample groups
tested for BodPod fell into the good category or better and seven out of eight of the
sample groups for skinfold fell into the good category or better. These findings from

the BodPod measurements suggest that recreational surfing is an adequate form of

exercise to maintain a good body fat percentage.
While the majority of research regarding surfing up until this point has focused on
performance improvement as well as the physiological demands of surfing (Farley, O. et
al. 2012), this study focused on the physiological effects of recreational surfing and how
this form of exercise can impact overall body composition. Meir et al. (1991) concluded
that the intensity of recreational surfing is commensurate to other recreational activities
which are considered sufficient for establishing and maintaining fitness. Combining the
findings of this investigation with the findings of this previous study implies that
recreational surfing may be a sufficient alternate mode of exercise for maintaining a
healthy body composition. Further studies are needed in order to determine the extent
to which recreational surfing affects body composition. Variables such as time spent
surfing per week and additional methods of physical activity used by the subjects could
provide more information about the results of this study.
The limitations of this investigation were a small female sample size, with some
age groups completely lacking representation in our sample. This limitation could be
addressed in future studies. The researchers also had limited experience using skin
calipers which could cause a discrepancy in accuracy and may be reflected in the
significant difference seen between the BodPod measurements and the skinfold
measurements. Other limitations include the wide range of surfing experience between
the subjects, as the only parameter used for qualification was one year of surfing
experience. This lack of specificity could alter the body composition of more
experienced surfers.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first investigation that has been done to
demonstrate the association between recreational surfing and healthy body
composition. Based on this research, the results imply that recreational surfing
maintains a healthy body composition in compliance with the ACSM guidelines.

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