Body profile Information

Body Composition Measurements

Mass: The amount something or someone weighs.

Consult your professional/s for treatment and rehabilitation as these are academic principle guidelines only and not prescriptive.
ASSIC does not dispense medical and/or exercise advice.
Consult your professional regarding exercise, treatment and rehabilitation exercise regimes and medical advise.
The contents of the following web page are principle guidelines and must be utilized under the supervision of a relevant medical and/or exercise professional.

Body Mass Index (BMI):

This is the ratio of the person’s body weight to their height. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kg by square of height in meters. BMI is a good indication of body composition, especially when the individual has a high Fat percentage. When an individual is classified in the overweight or obese categories, this increase the risk of developing chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc.

BMI is not a true reflection of someone’s body composition, if the body fat percentage is low. For example in body builder who have BF % below 10, then the sum of skinfolds should be taken to calculate this.

From the results of the calculations classified into different categories:

Classifications	BMI
Underweight	Less than 18.5
Normal	18.5 – 24.9
Overweight	25 – 29.9
Obese	30 – 34.5
Severely Obese	35 – 39.9
Morbidly Obese	40+

BMI Calculator

Height in metres

Weight in kg

Skinfolds

Skinfolds provide a good indication of the level of fatness located over the body in the subcutaneous storage areas. A skinfold caliper is used to measure the various skin sites, usually these measurements are taken and calculated by a trained professional. These measurements are used to calculate a predicted body fat percentage. This method is popular as it is quick, cost effective and non-painful procedure. When the measurements are taken, the individual is in minimal clothing to expose the various site.

The various sites locations can be found on the ASSIC testing app. These skinfold sites include:

Triceps skinfold: mid-point at the back of triceps
Biceps skinfold: front of arm above the cubital fossa
Suprailiac skinfold: in the midaxillary line above the iliac crest
Subscapular skinfold: below the shoulder blade with shoulder relaxed. Take measurement 45 degrees to the horizontal
Pectoral: Point between the axilla and nipple, high on anterior axillary fold
Anterior thigh : Midpoint of front (anterior) of thigh midway between knee cap (patella) and the top of thigh crease (inguinal fold)
Calf: Inside (medial) area of the largest calf circumference area

Calipers

Skinfold thickness is measured using precision calipers
The calipers measure the compressed double fold plus the skin
There are 3 types of calipers used and they include Harpenden, Lange and Holtain

Calculation and result interpretation:

Average sum of 7 sites
The average range vary for specific sports

Measurement Techniques

Biceps

Subject standing with arm hanging
Site: Anterior mid arm, midway between shoulder & elbow
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin above midpoint
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement recorded in mm

Triceps:

Subject standing with arms hanging at side
Site: mid triceps posterior triceps skin fold between the shoulder and elbow
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin
Place pincer point at a 1cm depth
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement in mm

Supra-iliac

Subject standing
Site: 5cm above the anterior superior iliac spine
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin at a 45 degree angle to body
Place pincer of caliper at a 1cm depth
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement recorded in mm

Subscapular

Subject standing
Site: 1cm below the inferior angle of the scapular
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin
Place pincer of caliper at a 1cm depth at a 45 degree angle superiomedially
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement recorded in mm

Pectoral

Subject standing
Site: Point between the axilla and nipple, high on anterior axillary fold
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin
Place pincer of caliper at a 1cm depth
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement recorded in mm

Anterior thigh

Subject standing
Site: Midpoint of front (anterior) of thigh midway between knee cap (patella) and the top of thigh crease (inguinal fold)
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin
Place pincer of caliper at a 1cm depth
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement recorded in mm

Calf

Subject standing
Site: Inside (medial) area of the largest calf circumference area
Use forefinger & thumb to grasp subcutaneous and skin
Place pincer of caliper at a 1cm depth
Hold position for 3-4 seconds
Take several measurements for accuracy
Measurement recorded in mm