Skinfold Landmarks Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

Which landmark is located at the superior and external border of the acromion process?

Radiale

Mid-acromiale-radiale

Bicep

Acromiale (correct)

What is the main purpose of a skinfold caliper?

To apply a standard pinch pressure and measure the width of the skinfold (correct)

To locate the precise site of skinfolds

To mark the side of the skinfolds

To measure the compressibility of the skin

Why should subjects avoid exercising before skinfold measurements?

To prevent increased fluid volume in the skinfold (correct)

To ensure the skinfold is not increased

To prevent dehydration

To ensure the skinfold is not reduced

What is the significance of feeling the subcutaneous fold?

To sense the skinfold and separate it from the underlying muscle Signup and view all the answers

Why are younger subjects more likely to have greater compressibility of the skin or adipose tissue?

Due to greater tissue hydration Signup and view all the answers

Where is the sub-scapular skinfold taken from?

At a site approximately 2 cm below the tip of the scapula Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a tape measure in skinfold measurements?

To locate the precise site of skinfolds Signup and view all the answers

Why are female subjects encouraged to wear a bathing suit top for skinfold measurements?

To allow for better access to measurement sites Signup and view all the answers

What is the position of the limb during the triceps skinfold measurement?

The upper limb hangs loosely by the side Signup and view all the answers

Where is the abdominal skinfold taken from?

2cm to the right side of the umbilicus Signup and view all the answers

What can affect the ease with which the skinfold can be separated from the underlying muscle?

Variations between persons and sites Signup and view all the answers

How is the frontal thigh skinfold measured?

At the midpoint on the anterior surface of the thigh Signup and view all the answers

What is the position of the knee during the frontal thigh skinfold measurement?

The knee is bent at right angles Signup and view all the answers

Where is the calf skinfold measured?

At the maximum circumference of the calf on its medial border Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of skinfold measurements over other body composition measures?

They take into account the location of fat Signup and view all the answers

Why is fat an economical way to store energy?

Because one gram of fat contains more than twice as many kilojoules as carbohydrates or proteins Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total body mass does essential fat represent for males?

2-5% Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of measuring waist-hip ratio?

To determine body fat patterns and health risks Signup and view all the answers

What is the cutoff value for waist-hip ratio that indicates significantly increased health risk for women?

>0.86 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of skinfold measurements?

To predict percentage body fat Signup and view all the answers

Why is fat important for the body?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating waist-hip ratio?

Waist circumference / Hip circumference Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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

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Description

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