Waist to Hip Ratio Test

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

Objective

The objective of this test is to monitor the athlete's waist to hip ratio which has been shown to be related to the risk of coronary heart disease (Han 1995 and Dobbelsteyn 2001).

Required Resources

To undertake this test you will require:

• Tape measure
• Assistant

How to conduct the test

• The athlete is to stand with good posture and relax
• The assistant measures and records the athlete’s hips and waist measurements (inches)
• The assistant divides the waist measurement by the hip measurement and records the result (hip to waist ratio)

Analysis

The following table provides general guidelines for acceptable levels for hip to waist ratio.

Target Group

This test is often used to determine the coronary artery disease risk factor associated with obesity

Reliability

Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides a variety of factors that may influence the results and therefore the test reliability.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical development. Not a good predictor of percent body fat, however can be used to indicate changes in body composition over time.

Advantages

• Minimal equipment required
• Simple to set up and conduct
• Can be conducted almost anywhere

Disadvantages

• Assistant required to administer the test

Referenced Material

1. HAN, TS et al. (1995) Waist circumference action levels in the identification of cardiovascular risk factors: prevalence study in a random sample". BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 311 (7017), p. 1401–1405
2. DOBBELSTEYN, C.J. et al. (2001) A comparative evaluation of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index as indicators of cardiovascular risk factors. The Canadian Heart Health Surveys. Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord., 25 (5), p. 652–61

Page Reference

The reference for this page is:

• MACKENZIE, B. (2008) Waist to Hip Ratio Test [WWW] Available from: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/whrt.htm [Accessed

Associated Pages

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

• Articles on Performance Evaluation
• Evaluation and Performance Tests