 |
References |
|
BC Home | BMI | Percent Fat | Wt Loss Guidelines | Athletes | About |
|
|
|
The percent body fat calculations are based on the Jackson-Pollock three site method (upper, mid, and lower body). Skinfold sites and descriptions follow.
|
|
Chest A diagonal fold on the front of the chest, one-half the distance between the anterior axillary line (front of arm pit) and the nipple. Take measurement 1 cm from fingers. Abdomen A horizontal fold taken 3 cm to the side and 1 cm below the umbilicus. Take measurement 1 cm from fingers. Thigh A vertical fold on the front of the leg midway between the inguinal crease (line where the leg when lifted bends from the body) and the top of the knee cap. Have person shift weight to the leg not being measured. Take measurement 1 cm from fingers.
|
|
|
Women |
Triceps A vertical fold on the midline of the back of the arm midway between the acromion process (bony bump where the top of the arm joins the shoulder) and the olecranon (bony tip of elbow) process. Take measurement 1 cm from fingers. Suprailiac A diagonal fold in line with the natural angle of the iliac crest in the anterior axillary line immediately above the iliac crest (just over the iliac crest or hip bone one the side, and a little forward). Take the measurement 1 cm from the fingers. Thigh Same as for the men described above. In large women you may need to use both hands to get a skinfold. It helps to have person relax leg on the side the skinfold is being taken on.
|
|
The percent body fat tests are based on skinfold measurements. For the test to be accurate the skinfold measurement method must be taken properly, using consistent and correct technique. For specific guidance, please read the text, Applied Body Composition Assessment by Vivian Heyward and Lisa Stolarczyk. A brief description of site locations and technique are described below. The skinfold measurements are taken in three sites. These three sites include an upper body, mid-body and a lower body measurement. This is important as individuals often carry their excess weight differently. Use the following technique when taking skinfold measurements. 1. Use a high quality skinfold calipers, such as the Lange, which exerts a constant pressure (10 g/mm2) over the range of the measurement. 2. Always take the measurements on the same side of the body. To be consistent, it is generally recommended to always take measurements on the right side of the body. 3. Carefully identify, measure and mark all sites for best accuracy and consistency, especially if inexperienced. 4. Grasp the skinfold firmly between your thumb and index finger. Gently lift the fold about 1 cm above the site to be measured. 5. Place the jaws of the caliper perpendicular to the fold approximately 1 cm away from the fingers. Keep the fold elevated while the measurement is being taken. 6. Read the skinfold measurement about 3-4 seconds after the pressure is released. Waiting longer than this allows the calipers to sink into the tissue giving low values. Read the measurement to the nearest 0.5 mm. 7. Open the jaws after taking the reading and remove the calipers. Wait a few seconds and take the measurement again. Both readings should agree within 1-2 mm. If not, take more than two measurements until they are consistent. 8. When possible, train with an experienced skinfold technician and compare your results. Also seek additional training at workshops on body composition assessment. If you can compare your results with people who have recently measured their percent body fat using hydrostatic weighing you can compare your technique with the "gold standard". Skinfold measurements have a standard error of about 3.5% when compared with the hydrostatic weighing method. It usually takes practice on 50 to 100 people to get your technique consistent and most accurate. Keep in mind that the accuracy (or even feasibility) in very obese persons using skinfold measurements is a rough estimate at best.
|
|
|
|
1. American
College of Sport's Medicine's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and This program was developed by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES, president of Wellsource Inc. and LifeLong Health Foundation. Dr. Hall has taught certification courses for the American College of Sport's Medicine including body composition assessment. He is currently an active member of the American College of Sport's Medicine and personally enjoys participating in sporting events including long distance running and cycling.
|
|
(c) 2001 PrevMedix LLC Updated 2-20-2001 |
Top | BC Home | BMI | Percent Fat | Wt Loss Guidelines | Athletes | About |
