Body composition of synchronized swimmers.

The body composition of 15 synchronized swimmers and 15 non-athletic female controls were compared. Body fat and lean body weight were calculated from body density measurements. Swimmers were ranked according to skill level and ability in an attempt to predict success in synchronized swimming from percent body fat or lean body weight. A student t-test revealed no statistically significant differences between groups for height, weight, percent body fat or lean body weight. Non-significant rank order correlations between ability ranking and percent fat (r = -.31) and lean body weight (r = -.18) point to the inability to predict success in synchronized swimming from these variables. These data were compared with female athletes of other sports.