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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:
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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. |
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Subscapula
The skinfold is
lifted vertically and measured below the tip of the scapula. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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
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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
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