Anthropometry Lab

Body Composition Analysis

NAME:
Laboratory Organization
The lab will be split into four groups of four or five. Students
should assign themselves a number between one and four
within their group. Each person will perform measurements on
two individuals within their group. In the end, two sets of data
will be available on each subject for comparison purposes.
Follow the Body composition analysis section of the CPAFLA
manual p 7-11 to 7-25
Equipment Needed
Anthropometric tape mounted on wall.
Spring or beam scale on hard surface
Anthropometric tape
Skinfold calipers
Measurements you are expected to perform include:
Standing Height (m)
Body Weight (Kg)
Girths (cm)
Skinfolds (mm)
Introduction
Technique is extremely important in Anthropometric Measurements. Consistent
procedure in identifying locations and making measurements is necessary in order to
maintain reliability. With careful attention to the allocation of measurement sites and
measurement procedure, results can be reliably compared over time and between
analyzers.
Standing Height
Client, without shoes, stands erect with arms at sides, feet together, and heels and back
in contact with wall. Client instructed to look straight ahead, stand as tall as possible and
take deep breath while the measurement is taken. Bring Plexiglas into contact with top
of head and turn knob till secure. Subject may move away for reading of standing
height.
Measurement is taken from a line drawn on Plexiglas approximately 9 cm from top of
head. As the tape measure is 9 cm from the floor, the measurement will be accurate.
Standing height should be recorded to nearest 0.5 cm (e.g. 176.5 cm)
Body Weight
Ensure scale is on flat hard surface, and reads zero with no weight. Client is weighed in
light clothing without footwear.
Weight recorded to nearest 0.1 KG (e.g. 67.2 Kg)
1

Body Girths (circumference)

Tape measure held between thumbs and index fingers with the second fingers
stabilizing and leveling the tape. A cross hand technique is used to bring the zero line of
the tape in line with the measuring aspect of the tape. Apply tension to the tape sufficient
to maintain its position but not to cause indentation of the skin surface. Record the
measurements to the nearest 0.5 cm.
Waist Girth
Client stands erect in a relaxed manner, arms hanging loosely at the
sides. Position the tape horizontally mid-way between the bottom of the rib cage and the
iliac crest. Take the measurement at the end of a normal expiration. (CPAFLA)
Waist girth can also measured horizontally at the level of the umbilicus (Nieman)
(referred to as abdominal girth in ACSM); or at narrowest part of the torso above the
umbilicus and below the xiphoid process (ACSM)
Hip / Gluteal Girth Client stands erect in a relaxed manner, arms hanging loosely at the
sides. Hip / Gluteal girth is defined as the largest circumference of the buttocks-hip
region above the gluteal fold. The measurer should squat at the persons side, to see
where the buttocks circumference is the greatest, and should place the tape measure in
a horizontal plane at that point.
Skinfold Measurements
All measurements are taken on the right side of the body.
One complete round of measurements is to be taken before repeating the procedure to
obtain a second skinfold measurement for each site.
During measurements it is important that the client relax the underlying musculature.
When the site of the skinfold has been determined, a fold of skin plus underlying fat is
grasped between your thumb and forefinger with the back of your hand facing you.
Keeping the jaws of the calipers always at right angles to the body surface, the contact
faces of the calipers are placed one centimeter below the point where the skinfold is
raised.
While maintaining the pressure of the fingers on the skinfold, the trigger of the calipers is
fully released and the measurement is taken. The measurement is noted when the
indicator stabilizes after the full pressure of the caliper jaws is applied to the skinfold.
(CPAFLA two seconds) (ACSM- four seconds).
The reading is recorded to the nearest 0.5 mm (Slim Guide Caliper).
The reading is recorded to the nearest 0.2 mm (Harpenden Caliper).
Complete the first set of skinfold measurements at each site. Then, repeat the
procedure to obtain a second set of measurement for each skinfold site.
Record the mean of the two measurements unless the difference between the first and
second measurements is greater than 0.5 mm (Slim Guide) (greater than 0.4 mm
Harpenden). If so, take a third measure of that skinfold site and record the mean of the
two closest measurements. If all three measurements are equidistant, record the mean
of all three. (CPAFLA)

The reliability and validity of skinfold measurements and analysis depend on:
The skill of the measurer
Precise identification of the site of the skinfold
Forming the skinfold prior to the application of the caliper jaws,
Standardization of the alignment of the skinfold crest
Maintenance of the pressure by the fingers on the skinfold when the
measurement is taken
Complete release of the caliper jaws prior to measurement
Type of Caliper (due to pressure differences)
Subject factors related to skinfold compressibility, edema, and variability in fat
pattern and distribution
The population used to develop prediction equation used to estimate percent
body fat
The accuracy of prediction equation applied to general population
The specific site of skinfold measurement for CPAFLA and ACSM vary significantly. The
methodologies for the sites used in CPAFLA are described on pages 7-11 to 7-18 of the
manual.
Skinfolds measured (CPAFLA): Triceps, Biceps, Subscapular, Iliac Crest, Medial Calf

Body Composition Analysis

Requirement for this logbook: Fill out the data sheets on pages 5
and 6 for the subjects you tested and complete analysis. Fill out your
own data on page 7.
CPAFLA
Compare all values obtained below to age and gender specific tables p 7-19 to 7-21.
Ascertain Health Benefit Zone using tables on p 7-22.
Body Mass Index (BMI) - the ratio of body weight divided by height squared (kg/m2) (see
next page = from p. 394 ACSM)
Waist Girth
SO5S sum of 5 skinfolds (mm) (CPAFLA) Add triceps, biceps, subscapular, iliac
crest, and medial calf skinfolds together
SO2S sum of 2 trunk skinfolds (mm) (CPAFLA) Add subscapular and iliac crest
skinfolds together

ACSM
Hip girth measure at the maximal girth of the hips or buttocks region above the gluteal
fold
Comparison tables are provided in lab manual for the following anthropometric results.
BMI and waist girth related to risk of disease. (Table 45.3; p 394 ACSM)
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) - compare ratio to age and gender specific tables (Table 45.2
p 394 ACSM)
3

From ACSM Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and
Prescription 4th edition p 394

Anthropometry Laboratory Data Sheet

Subjects Name:_______________________ Age: ______ Gender: _____
Weight (kg):___________

Height (cm): _________

Waist Circumference : ________ (cm) Hip Circumference : ___________(cm)

SKINFOLDS (mm)
Mean closest
Triceps

Biceps

Subscapular

Iliac Crest

Medial Calf

1st

_______

2nd

_______

3rd

_______

1st

_______

2nd

_______

3rd

_______

1st

_______

2nd

_______

3rd

_______

1st

_______

nd

_______

rd

_______

st

_______

nd

_______

rd

_______

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

Healthy Body Composition Assessment

BMI : _____(kg/m2) ______ Disease Risk (combined with waist circumference ACSM)
Waist to Hip Ratio :

___________

SO5S: Sum of 5 skinfolds:

___________

Rating ________(ACSM)

CPAFLA Healthy Body Composition Ratings

BMI, WC and SO5S:

Score (0-4) :___________ Rating _________

BMI and WC:

Score (0-4) :___________ Rating _________

BMI and SO5S:

Score (0-4) :___________ Rating _________

5

Anthropometry Laboratory Data Sheet

Subjects Name:_______________________ Age: ______ Gender: _____
Weight (kg):___________

Height (cm): _________

Waist Circumference : ________ (cm) Hip Circumference : ___________(cm)

SKINFOLDS (mm)
Mean closest
Triceps

Biceps

Subscapular

Iliac Crest

Medial Calf

1st

_______

2nd

_______

3rd

_______

1st

_______

2nd

_______

3rd

_______

1st

_______

2nd

_______

3rd

_______

1st

_______

nd

_______

rd

_______

st

_______

nd

_______

rd

_______

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

Healthy Body Composition Assessment

BMI : _____(kg/m2) ______ Disease Risk (combined with waist circumference ACSM)
Waist to Hip Ratio :

___________

SO5S: Sum of 5 skinfolds:

___________

Rating ________(ACSM)

CPAFLA Healthy Body Composition Ratings

BMI, WC and SO5S:

Score (0-4) :___________ Rating _________

BMI and WC:

Score (0-4) :___________ Rating _________

BMI and SO5S:

Score (0-4) :___________ Rating _________

6

CPAFLA SHEET Record your own measurements