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Body Fat Percentage
Measuring body fat percentage is an easy
method of discovering correct body weight and composition. Beneath the skin is
a layer of subcutaneous fat, and the percentage of total body fat can be
measured by taking the 'skinfold' at selected points on the body with a pair of
callipers. This test only requires four measurements. An alternative is the Yuhasz skinfold test which requires six
measurements.
Method
The method is as follows:
- Ensure that all of the skinfold measurements are located on the
right side of the body and that the measurements are taken in millimetres
- Pick up the skinfold between the thumb and the index finger so
as to include two thicknesses of skin and subcutaneous fat
Apply the callipers about one centimetre from the fingers and
at a depth about equal to the thickness of the fold
- Repeat the procedure three times as the measurement may vary
and take an average
- In order to standardise, measurements should be taken by the
same person and at the same time of day, preferably in the morning
- Add the results of each measurement to get a total value in
millimetres
- Using the calculator below to determine the percentage body
fat
Measurement Sites
The following sites may be used for determining percentage body
fat:
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Triceps
With the arm
resting comfortably at the side, take a vertical fold parallel to the long axis
of the arm midway between the shoulder and the tip of the elbow. |
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Subscapula
Take a
diagonal fold across the back, just below the shoulder blade. |
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Biceps
With the arm
resting comfortably at the side, take a vertical fold halfway between the elbow
and top of the shoulder on the front of the upper arm |
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Suprailiac
Take a
diagonal fold following the natural line of the iliac crest, just above the hip
bone. |
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Reliability
Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted.
Validity
The test is not a good predictor of percent body fat, however can be used to
indicate changes in body composition over time.
Fat-free Body Mass & Lean Body
Mass
The fat-free body mass (FFBM) represents the body mass
devoid of all fat whereas lean body mass (LBM) contains a small percentage of essential fat. LBM is a theoretical value developed
by Behnke. For men Behnke considered it to be FFBM+3% essential fat and for
females FFBM+12% fat (3% essential fat + 9% sex specific essential fat).
Reference: Behnke, A.R and Wilmore, J.H.: Evaluation and Regulation of Body Build and Composition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1974
Fat and Fat Free Tissue Density
The density of fat and fat free tissue remains relatively
constant: fat = 0.9 grm/cm³ and fat free tissue = 1.1 grm/cm³.
Typical % Body Fat
The average man has 15 to 17% body fat, while the average
woman is between 18 and 22%. Typical values for elite athletes are 6% to 12%
for men and 12% to 20% for women.
The following table details the percentage body fat for male
and female athletes for a variety of sports.
| Sport |
Male |
Female |
| Baseball |
12-15% |
12-18% |
| Basketball |
6-12% |
20-27% |
| Canoe/Kayak |
6-12% |
10-16% |
| Cycling |
5-15% |
15-20% |
| Field & Ice Hockey |
8-15% |
12-18% |
| Gymnastics |
5-12% |
10-16% |
| Rowing |
6-14% |
12-18% |
| Swimming |
9-12% |
14-24% |
| Tennis |
12-16% |
16-24% |
| Track - Runners |
8-10% |
12-20% |
| Track - Jumpers |
7-12% |
10-18% |
| Track - Throwers |
14-20% |
20-28% |
| Triathlon |
5-12% |
10-15% |
| Volleyball |
11-14% |
16-25% |
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Four Week Fat Loss
Fat loss strategies from elite sports nutritionist Matt Lovell who has been working with elite athletes, international rugby players and World Champions as a Sports nutritionist for the past 7 years. Matt is sharing some of those principles, strategies and tricks that elite performers in the world of Sport use to get lean and stay lean.
Select this link for more information on "Four Week Fat Loss". |
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Athletic Body Sculpting for Females
The majority of people would prefer the lean look of an athlete, and not only that, but it is also the look most people seem to find most attractive in the opposite sex. If LEAN and ATHLETIC is what people want, why on earth are the majority of people, who want to achieve the lean athletic look, still eating like a fat person and training like bodybuilders?
With the groundbreaking 'Athletic Body Sculpting' System From Bryan Kavanagh and Ian Graham of 'Athletic Body System' you will discover step-by-step how to sculpt a body with a level of leanness and sexiness that you never thought possible. Well it is now 100% possible and 100% Guaranteed!
Select this link for more information on "Athletic Body Sculpting". |
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Athletic Body By Design for Mens
The majority of people would prefer the lean look of an athlete, and not only that, but it is also the look most people seem to find most attractive in the opposite sex. If LEAN and ATHLETIC is what people want, why on earth are the majority of people, who want to achieve the lean athletic look, still eating like a fat person and training like bodybuilders?
With the groundbreaking 'Athletic Body By Design' system you will discover step-by-step how to build a physique with a level of muscularity and leanness that you never thought possible. Well it is now 100% possible and it is 100% Guaranteed!
Select this link for more information on "Athletic Body By Design". |
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Lose Fat and Gain Muscle with Turbulence Training
Lose fat and gain muscle without cardio. Discover the cardio free fat loss workouts using weight training exercise and interval training to burn fat, get rid of stubborn belly fat, and build muscle.
Select this link for more information on "Turbulence Training". |
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101 Performance Evaluation Tests
Periodic testing and measuring is the only way to get the up-to-date, accurate and objective information you need to assess current performance, then make informed decisions about future training and competition goals.
This brand new workbook, 101 Performance Evaluation Tests, is the largest, most complete and authoritative collection of sports performance evaluation tests there is. And it is an essential tool for anyone wanting to predict athletic performance or evaluate an athlete`s current level of fitness.
Select this link for more information on "101 Performance Evaluation Tests". |
Associated Pages
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:
Associated Books
The following books provide more information related to this topic:
- Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
- Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
- Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
- Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
- The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
- Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
- Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
- Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
- PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2
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