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
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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).
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[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.
[Reference: Wilmore and Costill (1994) Physiology of sport and exercise]
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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Associated Pages
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:
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