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 requires six measurements.

Required resources

To undertake this test you will require:

• Skinfold caliper
• Assistant.

Measurement sites

1)      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.

2)      Subscapula – the skinfold is lifted vertically and measured below the tip of the scapula.

3)      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.

4)      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.

5)      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.

6)      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.

7)      Rear thigh – 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.

How to conduct the test

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 millimeters.
• 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 centimeter from the fingers and at a depth about equal to the thickness of the fold.
• Repeat the procedure three time as the measurement may vary and record the average value.
• Add the results of each measurement to get a total value in millimetres.

Analysis

Using the total skinfold value(SFV) obtained from the test determine the percentage body fat using the appropriate program:

Gender	Age	Algorithm
Male	16 to 30	% body fat = (SFV x 0.097) + 3.64
	30+	% body fat = (SFV x 0.1066) + 4.975
Female	16 to 30	% body fat = (SFV x 0.217) – 4.47
	30+	% body fat = (SFV x 0.224) – 2.8

The average man has 15 to 17% body fat, while the average woman is between 18 and 22%. Typical scores for elite athletes are 6% to 12% for men and 12% to 20% for women.

Normative data

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%	15 – 16%

Target group

This test is suitable for active individuals but not for those where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted.

Validity

There are published tables to relate results to potential level of fitness and the correlation is high.