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. A similar alternative method is
the Yuhasz skinfold test which requires six measurements.

Objective

The objective of this test is to monitor the athlete’s level of body fat.

Required Resources

To undertake this test you will require:

 Skinfold callipers

Assistant
Measurement Sites

The assistant records measurements taken from the following sites:

Triceps

The athlete’s arm to hang naturally by their

side. The assistant takes a vertical fold midway
between the shoulder and the elbow on the
back of the arm.
 Subscapula

The assistant takes a diagonal fold across the

back, just below the shoulder blade.

Biceps

The athlete’s arm to hang naturally by their

side. The assistant takes a vertical fold midway
between the shoulder and the elbow on the
front of the arm.

Suprailiac

The assistant takes a diagonal fold just above

the hip bone.

How to conduct the test

 The assistant takes the measurements, in millimetres, on the right side of the
 athlete’s body
 The assistant picks up the skinfold between the thumb and the index finger so as to
include two thicknesses of the athlete’s skin and subcutaneous fat
 The assistant locates the callipers about one centimetre from the fingers and at a
depth equal to the thickness of the fold
 The assistant repeats each measurement three times and records the average value
 The assistant records the sum of the four measurements and uses this value to
assess the athlete’s percentage body fat

Typical % Body Fat (Wilmore 1994)[1]

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.
The following table details the percentage body fat for male and female athletes for a
variety of sports.

Sport Male Female

Baseball 12-16% 12-19%

Basketball 6-12% 20-28%

Canoeing 6-12% 10-16%

Cycling 5-14% 15-20%

Field Hockey 8-14% 12-18%

Gymnastics 5-13% 10-16%

Rowing 6-14% 12-19%

Swimming 9-13% 14-24%

Tennis 12-15% 16-24%

Track - Jumpers 7-11% 10-18%

Track - Runners 8-10% 12-19%

Track - Throwers 14-20% 20-27%

Triathlon 5-11% 10-15%

Volleyball 11-14% 16-24%

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected
that, with appropriate training and diet between each test, the analysis would indicate an
improvement in the athlete's percentage body fat.

Target Group
This test is suitable for everyone but not for individuals where the test would be
contraindicated.

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.
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.

The test is not a good predictor of percentage body fat, however it 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

 Specialist equipment required - Skinfold callipers

 Assistant required to administer the test

Referenced Material