Yuhasz Skinfold Test

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 calipers. The Yuhasz Technique uses six sites as opposed to the three of four sites used in many other tests.

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 calipers about one centimetre from the fingers and at a depth about equal to the thickness of the fold
Very slightly release the pressure of the fingers so the greater pressure is exerted by the caliper
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 are used for determining percentage body fat:

	*Triceps* The skin fold is located midway on the back of the upper arm. The arm hangs freely and the skinfold is lifted parallel to its long axis.
	*Subscapula* The skinfold is lifted vertically and measured below the tip of the scapula.
	*Suprailiac* The skinfold is located immediately above the crest of the ilium. The fold is lifted at a slight angle to the vertical along the normal fold line.
	*Abdomen* The skinfold is located to the left of, adjacent to, and in line with the navel. The fold is lifted parallel to the long axis of the body.
	*Front Thigh* The skinfold is located midway on the front of the upper leg over the quadriceps. The foot is placed on a six-inch step with the knee slightly flexed and muscles relaxed. The fold is lifted parallel to the long axis of the leg.
	*Chest (male only)* The site is located above and slightly to the right of the right nipple. The skinfold is taken at a 45-degree angle of the horizontal.
	*Rear thigh (female only)* The skinfold is located midway on the back of the upper leg. The leg is held in the same position as the front thigh measurements. The skinfold is lifted parallel to the axis of the leg.

Percentage Body Fat Calculator

To obtain an estimate of the percentage body fat, weight of body fat and fat-free body mass please enter the skin fold measurement, age, weight and gender and then select the 'Calculate' button.

Skin fold	mm
Age
Weight
Gender

Estimated percentage body fat is -	%
Body fat weight is -	lbs	kg
Fat-free body mass is -	lbs	kg

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). Many researches use the terms FFBM and LBM interchangeably.

Typical Scores

The average male has 15 to 17% body fat, while the average female is between 18 and 22%. Typical scores 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%
Cycling	5-15%	15-20%
Field & Ice Hockey	8-15%	12-18%
Rowing	6-14%	12-18%
Swimming	9-12%	14-24%
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%	16-15%

Free Calculator

Yuhasz Skinfold Test Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer.

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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