Transcript Lab 8 Skinfold Lecture

Lab #8
Estimation of Body Composition from
Skinfold Thickness
Triceps Skinfold
• Triceps - vertical fold; on the posterior midline
of the upper arm; halfway between the
acromium and olecrannon processes; with the
arm held freely to the side of the body.
Nieman DC. Exercise Testing and Prescription: A Health-Related Approach. 6/e.
Copyright ©2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
Abdomen Skinfold
• vertical fold; 2-3 cm right lateral of the umbilicus.
Suprailiac Skinfold
•Suprailiac - diagonal fold; in line with the natural
angle of the iliac crest taken in the anterior axillary
line immediately superior to the iliac crest.
Thigh Skinfold
Vertical fold; on the anterior midline of the thigh,
midway between the proximal border of the patella
and the inguinal crease
Nieman DC. Exercise Testing
and Prescription: A HealthRelated Approach. 6/e.
Copyright ©2007 McGraw-Hill
Chest Skinfold )
• Diagonal fold; one-half the distance between
the anterior axillary line (men) or one-third the
distance between the axillary line (women) and
the nipple
Nieman DC. Exercise Testing and Prescription: A Health-Related Approach. 6/e.
Copyright ©2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
Measurement of SKF Thickness
• All measurements taken on right side
• Do not use subjects who are sweaty or have lotion
on their skin
• OPTIONAL: Carefully identify, measure and mark
the skinfold site (markings should be with a pen on
skin, should be a ‘X’ – each line represents a specific
part or the site location)
• Grasp the SKF firmly between the thumb and index
finger of your left hand. Lift the fold 1 cm above the
site to be measured
• Lift the fold by placing your thumb and index finger
8cm apart on the line that is perpendicular to the
long axis of the SKF.
• Keep the fold elevated while you take the
measurement
• Place the jaws of the caliper perpendicular to the
fold, approx. 1 cm below the thumb and index finger,
and release the jaw pressure slowly
• Take the SKF measurement within 1-2 sec
• Open the jaws of the caliper to remove it from the
site. Close the jaws slowly to prevent damage or loss
of calibration