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:

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. Subscapula Take a diagonal fold across the back, just below the shoulder blade. 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 Suprailiac Take a diagonal fold following the natural line of the iliac crest, just above the hip bone.

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.

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Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Body Fat Percentage using Girth Measurements
• Evaluation and Performance Tests
• Facts about Fat
• Fat Burning Zone
• Fat - Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
• Ideal Body Weight
• Yuhasz skinfold test

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