22 Questions
Which landmark is located at the superior and external border of the acromion process?
Acromiale
What is the main purpose of a skinfold caliper?
To apply a standard pinch pressure and measure the width of the skinfold
Why should subjects avoid exercising before skinfold measurements?
To prevent increased fluid volume in the skinfold
What is the significance of feeling the subcutaneous fold?
To sense the skinfold and separate it from the underlying muscle
Why are younger subjects more likely to have greater compressibility of the skin or adipose tissue?
Due to greater tissue hydration
Where is the sub-scapular skinfold taken from?
At a site approximately 2 cm below the tip of the scapula
What is the purpose of using a tape measure in skinfold measurements?
To locate the precise site of skinfolds
Why are female subjects encouraged to wear a bathing suit top for skinfold measurements?
To allow for better access to measurement sites
What is the position of the limb during the triceps skinfold measurement?
The upper limb hangs loosely by the side
Where is the abdominal skinfold taken from?
2cm to the right side of the umbilicus
What can affect the ease with which the skinfold can be separated from the underlying muscle?
Variations between persons and sites
How is the frontal thigh skinfold measured?
At the midpoint on the anterior surface of the thigh
What is the position of the knee during the frontal thigh skinfold measurement?
The knee is bent at right angles
Where is the calf skinfold measured?
At the maximum circumference of the calf on its medial border
What is the main advantage of skinfold measurements over other body composition measures?
They take into account the location of fat
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
What percentage of total body mass does essential fat represent for males?
2-5%
What is the purpose of measuring waist-hip ratio?
To determine body fat patterns and health risks
What is the cutoff value for waist-hip ratio that indicates significantly increased health risk for women?
>0.86
What is the purpose of skinfold measurements?
To predict percentage body fat
Why is fat important for the body?
All of the above
What is the formula for calculating waist-hip ratio?
Waist circumference / Hip circumference
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
This quiz covers the landmarks for skinfold measurements, including acromiale, radiale, mid-acromiale-radiale, and others. Test your knowledge of anatomy and body measurements.
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