Skinfold Landmarks Anatomy

Skinfold Landmarks

• Acromiale: Point at the superior and external border of the acromion process
• Radiale: Superior aspect of the lateral border of the head of the radius
• Mid-acromiale-radiale: Midpoint between the acromiale and radiale
• Bicep: Most anterior surface of the arm
• Tricep: Most posterior surface of the arm
• Subscapular: The undermost tip of the inferior angle of the scapula
• Iliac crest: Imaginary line – midpoint of armpit and most lateral superior edge of ilium

Skinfold Method

• Measuring skinfolds requires practice and sensing the subcutaneous fold
• The feel of the skinfold varies between persons and at different sites within the same person
• Greater compressibility in younger subjects due to greater tissue hydration

Skinfold Equipment

• Skinfold caliper: applies a standard pinch pressure and provides an easily read measure of the width (mm) of the pinch
• Tape measure: used to locate the precise site of some skinfolds
• Marker or ballpoint pen: used to mark the side of the skinfolds

Skinfold Subject Preparation

• Wear loose-fitting shirt and shorts
• Male subjects should go shirtless, while female subjects should wear a bathing suit top
• Avoid measuring skinfolds while the subject is overheated or dehydrated

Skinfold Sites

• Triceps: Measure from the back on the posterior surface of the arm, midway between the top of the shoulder and the elbow
• Subscapular: The scapular skinfold will be taken at a site approximately 2 cm below the tip of the scapula and 2 cm toward the midline of the body
• 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
• Abdominal: Vertical fold, 2 cm to the right side of the umbilicus
• Frontal thigh: Measured at the midpoint on the anterior surface of the thigh with the fold parallel to the long axis of the thigh
• Calf: Vertical fold, at the maximum circumference of the calf on the midline of its medial border

Health Risks and Body Fat

• More fat on the trunk (especially abdominal fat) increases the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease (CAD), and premature death
• Waist-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple method for determining body fat patterns
• WHR equation: Waist circumference / Hip circumference
• WHR > 0.95 for men and > 0.86 for women indicates a significantly increased health risk of disease

Skinfold Test

• Measures subcutaneous skinfolds for the prediction of percent body fat
• Used as a laboratory instrument due to its portability and modification to an inexpensive plastic caliper
• Fat must not be thought of as bad; it serves as an energy storage and provides a storage place for vitamins and serves as an insulator
• Essential fat represents about 2 – 5% of total body mass for males and about 12% for females

This quiz covers the landmarks for skinfold measurements, including acromiale, radiale, mid-acromiale-radiale, and others. Test your knowledge of anatomy and body measurements.