Skinfold Testing is a common method for determining body fat composition. Calipers are used to measure the thickness of the skin at a range of sites around the body and over time this can show a person's progress.
Skinfold measurement is based on the belief that approximately 50% of total body fat lies under the skin and involves measuring the thickness of the skinfolds at standardized sites.
This technique is inexpensive, produces fairly accurate results, and is relatively easy to administer once the trainer has mastered the skill of pinching the skin and measuring it with skinfold calipers.
Who should do Skinfold Testing
Anyone can have their skinfolds done. If you have a goal of increasing your muscle mass, assessing skinfolds will show you whether increases in mass are due to increases in muscle, fat mass, or both. Likewise, if you are aiming to reduce fat mass, assessing your skinfolds regularly will assist you in determining how well you’ve maintained muscle while reducing fat mass.
In sports, skinfolds are another tool used to assess the effectiveness of your training. Some sports have certain physique traits associated with them, such as gymnastics or diving. In endurance sports such as marathons and cycling, lower body fat levels enhance efficiency and heat dissipation. In other sports with weight classes such as rowing or boxing, lower body fat levels will help enhance the power to weight ratio compared to smaller, less muscular opponents.
In team sports such as rugby, different positions on the field have different roles requiring different body compositions to effectively be able to achieve their roles. Ongoing skinfold assessments are the most effective tool for monitoring body composition changes over time, and as an athlete, are just one of the tools that you can use to assess your progress in performance.
How to Take Skinfold Measurements
Skinfold measurements are generally taken at specific sites on the right side of the body. The tester pinches the skin at the location site and pulls the fold of skin away from the underlying muscle so only the skin and fat tissue are being held. Special skinfold calipers are then used to measure the skinfold thickness in millimeters. Two measurements are recorded and averaged.
The measurement sites vary depending upon the specific skinfold testing protocol being used, but typically include the following locations on the body,
Abdomen - Next to the belly button
Mid-axilla - Midline of the side of the torso
Pectoral - The mid-chest, just forward of the armpit
Quadriceps - Middle of the upper thigh
Subscapular - Beneath the edge of the shoulder blade
Suprailiac - Just above the iliac crest of the hip bone
Triceps - The back of the upper arm
Biceps - The front of the upper arm
The sites are chosen to account for individual variations in body fat distribution and the results are given as a sum of the 8 sites (some sports will only measure 7 sites, leaving out the iliac crest measurement).
The procedure for measuring skinfolds is as follows
Identify the anatomical location of the skinfold. Take all measurements on the right side of the body. (Optional: Mark the site with a common eyebrow pencil to expedite site relocation in repeated measures.)
Grasp the skinfold firmly with the thumb and index finger of the left hand.
Holding the calipers perpendicular to the site, place the pads of the calipers approximately 1/4 inch from the thumb and forefinger.
Approximately one or two seconds after the trigger has been released, read the dial to the nearest 0.5 mm.
A minimum of two measurements should be taken at each site, with at least 15 seconds between measurements to allow the fat to return to its normal thickness.
Continue to take measurements until two measurements vary by less than 1 mm.
Skinfold Measurement Accuracy
The accuracy of these tests may depend on the type of calipers being used, the competence of the tester, and a person's level of hydration at the time of the test. Since using the calipers can be difficult, skinfold measurements may not be the best choice for assessing fat percentages, especially if you're trying to do it yourself.
For results to be valid and reliable, the skinfold measurements must be taken properly and they should be taken by the same technician from one measurement to the next. Improper site determination and measurement are the two primary sources of error when using this method. Furthermore, skinfold measurements should not be taken after exercise because the transfer of fluid to the skin could result in overestimations.
Calculating Body Fat Percentage using skinfold measurements
Once you have taken skinfold measurements, you'll need to convert these numbers into a percent of body fat. Skinfold thickness results rely on formulas that convert these numbers into an estimate of a person's percentage of body fat according to a person's age and gender.
Skinfold testing and calculations will be done by a physiotherapist / professional in this field.
References
https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/tools-calculators/percent-body-fat-calculator/
https://www.precisionathletica.com.au/skinfold-testing-from-an-athletes-point-of-view/
https://www.verywellfit.com/calculate-body-fat-by-measuring-skinfolds-3120273
Malsha Sewwandi
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