Measuring body fat is important because high percentages of body fat are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. You can use several methods to determine body fat, including hydrostatic weighing, bioelectrical impedance analysis, body mass index and skin fold measurement. Lange calipers are a popular brand of calipers used to take skin fold measurements. The calipers are spring loaded, fit comfortably in the hand and use millimeters as the form of measurement for subcutaneous fat.
Lange Caliper Usage
Step 1
Remove all lotions and creams prior to using Lange calipers. Take skin fold measurements on bare skin. Do not take skin fold measurements through clothing as doing so will alter test results.
Step 2
Measure the seven skin fold sites for men and women by taking measurements at the chest, midaxillary, triceps, subscapular, abdomen, suprailiac and thigh.
Step 3
Visually identify the seven skin fold sites for body composition measurement on the body. Mark the sites with a nontoxic marker and use a test subject for practice if possible.
Step 4
Hold the caliper with the spring-loaded handle toward you and the millimeter measurement facing up for easy reading and use.
Step 5
Use the thumb and forefinger to take skin fold measurements. Place the caliper 1 cm away from the thumb and forefinger and perpendicular to the skin fold when taking the measurement. Take the skin fold measurement halfway between the crest and base of the fold for each measurement.
Step 6
Maintain the skin fold pinch while reading the caliper. Wait one to two seconds, no longer, when reading skin fold caliper measurements. Release the calipers from the skin fold when you are done reading.
Step 7
Write the measurement down. Measure each site twice and compare measurements. If there is a difference of more than 2 mm, measure the site an additional time. Take the average of the two measurements.
Step 8
Enter skin fold measurements into a standardized equation to determine body fat percentage (see References section).
Skin Fold Sites
Step 1
Measure the abdominal skin fold using a vertical fold 2 cm to the right side of the umbilicus, or belly button.
Step 2
Measure the triceps skin fold using a vertical fold at the back of the upper portion of the arm and halfway between the acromion process, the bony protrusion at the top of the shoulder, and the olecranon process, the elbow. Be sure to hold the arm freely at the side of the body when taking the triceps measurement.
Step 3
Measure the chest or pectoral skin fold by taking a diagonal fold one-half the distance between the anterior axillary line, front crease of the armpit, and the nipple for men. Measure the chest or pectoral fold for women by taking a diagonal fold one-third the distance between the anterior axillary line and the nipple.
Step 4
Measure the midaxillary by taking a vertical fold on the midaxillary line at the level of the xiphoid process of the sternum, the point where the ribs meet.
Step 5
Measure the subscapular skin fold by taking a diagonal fold at a 45-degree angle and 1 to 2 cm below the bottom portion of the scapula.
Step 6
Measure the suprailiac skin fold by taking a diagonal fold at the top of the hip in line with the anterior axillary line.
Step 7
Measure the thigh by taking a vertical fold in the middle of the thigh halfway between the top of the patella and the crease of the hip. Have your test subject place the right heel on the left toe for easy assessment.
Tips and Warnings
- Skin fold assessments should be done by a qualified technician who has been trained to take the measurements accurately. All skin fold measurements should be taken on the right side of the body. Women should wear a sports bra when they are having skin fold measurements taken in the chest area. Men should not wear a shirt at all when skin fold measurements are being taken.
References
- "ACSM's Resource for the Personal Trainer," 2nd edition; American College of Sports Medicine; 2006
- Topend Sports: Fitness Testing
- Online Body Fat Calculator for Men and Women
- QuickMedical: Lange Skinfold Caliper
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