Body Composition and Physical Performance

This book surveys the entire field of body composition as it relates to performance. It includes a clear definition of terminology and a discussion of the various methods for measuring body composition.The authored papers represent a state-of-the-art review of this controversial field and address questions such as: What is a better measure of body composition—body fat or lean body mass? Does being overweight for one's height really affect performance?The book also addresses the issue of physical appearance as it relates to body fatness and performance. It includes an in-depth discussion of many of the topics of interest to those involved in sports medicine and exercise physiology.Table of ContentsFRONT MATTERI Overview1 Introduction and Background2 Conclusions and RecommendationsII Invited Papers3 Body Composition and Military Performance: Origins of the Army Standards4 Body Composition in the Military Services: Standards and Methods5 Effects of Experimental Alterations in Excess Weight on Physiological Responses to Exercise and Physical Performance6 Army Data: Body Composition and Physical Capacity7 The Relationship of Body Size and Composition to the Performance of Physically Demanding Military Tasks8 New Approaches to Body Composition Evaluation and Some Relationships to Dynamic Muscular Strength9 Associations Among Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Injury in Men and Women Army Trainees10 Body Composition, Morbidity, and Mortality11 Critique of the Military's Approach to Body Composition Assessment and Evaluation12 Body Composition and Performance in Relation to Environment13 Sex Differences and Ethnic/Racial Differences in Body Size and Body CompositionIII Committee Discussion Paper14 Body Composition Measurement: Accuracy, Validity, and ComparabilityAppendixesAppendix A: Accession Standards for the Military ServicesAppendix B: Retention Standards for the Military ServicesAppendix C: Weight-for-Height TablesAppendix D: Proposed Revisions to Accession (AR 40-501) and Retention (AR 600-9) Body Weight and Body Fat StandardsAppendix E: Recent Changes to the U.S. Army StandardsAppendix F: Biographical Sketches