INDIANA UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY
CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
FALL 1998
LAB
BODY COMPOSITION LAB
(65 Points)
There is frequent need to evaluate body composition in the clinical exercise
physiology setting. Such examples are 1) evaluating total body fat, 2) recommending a
suitable weight for health, and 3) establishing distribution of body fat for risk of disease.
In recent years, the study of the physical and chemical aspects of the human
body has led to various techniques designed to estimate its physical composition. It
appears that one of the more accurate methods for evaluation of body composition
(body fat) is by the underwater weighing technique perfected by Behnke (2). This
technique utilizes Archimedes’ principle in which specific gravity (or density) is
determined by dividing the body weight, dry, by its loss of weight in water. An
important factor in obtaining an accurate underwater weight is that of determining
residual lung volume.
Although the technique for measuring body density by immersing the body in
water is a very simple one, expensive laboratory instrumentation and considerable time
and effort are required. Thus, other procedures such an anthropometry may be more
appropriate as well as practical for estimating specific gravity and percent body fat.
More recently, bioelectrical impedance.
Anthropometry (the measurement of man) included determination of height,
weight, skinfold thickness, girths, or diameters. Different anthropometric estimations of
body composition employ a variety of measurement sites.
The purpose of this lab is to try several field techniques in determining body fat.
The indirect methods you will use are 1) hydrostatic weighing, 2) anthropometry, and 3)
bioelectrical impedance.
1
PROCEDURES
1.
Before taking any measurements, have all group members a visual estimation of
your percent body fat.
1.
Measure all the anthropometric measurements of height, weight, skinfolds, girths
and diameters.
1.
Measure percent body fat by the impedance method and by the impedance
scale.
1.
Evaluate body composition for the following methods.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
1.
Visual
Body Mass Index
Circumference Method
Durnin Method (Skinfolds)
Yuhasz Method (Skinfolds)
Allen Method (Skinfolds)
Jackson Pollock
1.
Three Site Method (Skinfolds)
2.
Seven Site Method (Skinfolds)
Bioelectrical Impedance Scale
Bioelectrical Impedance
Hydrostatic Weighing
Determine waist to hip ratio
2
ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
1.
Weight. The subject is in nylon bathing suit (as in body density), and is
measured to the nearest quarter pound or tenth of a kilogram.
1.
Height (Stature). The total body length is taken from the soles of the feet to the
top of the head. The subject stands barefooted with feet together, the heels and
scapulae in contact with the vertical arms of the stadiometer. The attached
horizontal arm of the stadiometer is lowered to make firm contact with the scalp.
The height is measured to the nearest quarter of an inch, or tenth of a
centimeter.
1.
Circumferences:
Read to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.
a. Forearm
Taken at the largest circumference with the arm extended in
front of the body with palm up.
4.
-
b. Upper Arm -
Taken at maximum girth of the midarm, arm straight, palm
up and extended in front of the body.
c. Abdomen -
Taken in a horizontal plane at the smallest circumference in
the abdominal region, one inch above the umbilicus.
d. Buttocks
-
Taken in a horizontal plane at the largest circumference
around the buttocks. Subject should stand with heels
together.
e. Thigh
-
Taken in a horizontal plane just below the gluteal fold or
maximum thigh girth.
f. Calf
-
Taken in a horizontal plane at the maximum girth of the calf.
Skinfolds. The following procedure standardizes the technique for
subcutaneous fat measurements:

Firm grasp of fold of skin plus subcutaneous fat between the left thumb
and forefinger, and lift up.

Place the contact surfaces of the caliper about 1-2 cm. from the fingers.

Maintain the pressure exerted by the fingers so that the greater pressure
will be exerted by the caliper.

Release the scissor grip (right hand) and support the weight of the caliper
in the right hand.
3

When the needle slows down, take the reading to the nearest tenth of a
millimeter. (Be careful of jaw face slippage on the skin.)
DESCRIPTION OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT MEASUREMENT SITES
a.
CHEEK.
Draw an imaginary line from the bottom of the ear to the tip of
nose; at vertical line from temple, pinch vertically.
a.
CHIN.
Midway from tip of mandible and top of hyoid bone. Fold is
anterior, posterior.
a.
BICEP.
The site is located on the front of the right upper arm over the
prominence of the bicep. The arm hangs freely and the skinfold is lifted parallel
to its long axis.
a.
TRICEP.
The skinfold is located midway on the back of the right upper arm.
The arm hangs freely and the skinfold is lifted parallel to its long axis.
a.
CHEST.
Draw an imaginary line from axilla to nipple. Pinch midway, over
the pectoris muscle. Avoid picking up the muscle. Skinfold is taken at 45 o to
horizontal.
a.
MID-AXILLARY.
The site is located on the mid-axillary line on the right side at
the level of the xiphoid. The skinfold is picked up along the line of the rib
(vertical fold).
a.
SUPRA-ILIAC. The site is located immediately above the crest of the right ilium.
The thumb is placed over the iliac crest, and the fold lifted medial to the mid-line,
at a slight angle to the vertical along the normal fold line.
a.
UMBILICAL: (abdominal) 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, and
the measurement taken just below the level of the navel.
a.
SUB-SCAPULA.
the right scapula.
a.
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.
a.
REAR THIGH.
The skinfold is located midway on the back of the upper leg.
The leg is held in the same position as in the front thigh measurement. The
skinfold is lifted parallel to the long axis of the leg.
The skinfold is lift vertically and is measured below the tip of
4
a.
CALF.
The skinfold is located at the rear of the calf and at the point of
greatest circumference. The leg is held in the same position as the front thigh
measurement. The skinfold is lifted parallel to the long axis of the leg.
a.
KNEE.
The leg is held in the same position as the front high
measurement. 2 cm. above and at mid-point from the patella.
5
BODY FAT RESULTS - DATA SHEET
METHOD
%FAT
BMI
____________
Visual Estimation
____________
Circumferences*
____________
Durnin*
____________
Yuhasz*
____________
Allen*
____________
Jackson, Pollock*
(7-site)
____________
(3-site)
____________
Bioelectric Scale
____________
Bioelectrical Impedance
____________
Hydrostatic Weighing
____________
*see appendix
8
___________
___________
REFERENCES
1.
Basic Exercise Physiology Textbooks.
1.
Lohman, T., A. Roche, R. Martorell. Anthropmetric Standardization Reference
Manual, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 1988.
1.
Verrill, D., E. Schoup, L. Boyce, B. Fox, A. Moore, T. Forkner. Recommended
Guidelines for Body Composition Assessment in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A
Position paper by the North Carolina Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Association, Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation 14:104-121, 1994.
1.
Wallace, J.P., R.G. Bogle, K.T. Murray, and W.C. Miller. Variation in the
anthropometric dimensions for estimating upper and lower body obesity.
American Journal of Human Biology 6:699-709, 1994.
1.
Behnke and Wilmore, Evaluation and Regulation of Body Build and Composition,
International Research Monograph Series in Physical Education, Prentice Hall,
New Jersey, 1974.
QUESTIONS
1.
List four additional ways to measure body composition (5 points).
9
1.
Describe one of the four techniques listed above. How does it estimate percent
body fat (5 points)?
10
2.
Of all the methods of evaluating body composition, which method is most valid
and why (5 pts)?
1.
Do the various methods (used in this lab) for estimation of percent body fat agree
(5 pts)?
11
2.
What are the basic assumptions each method has (10 pts)?
12
3.
Calculate ideal weight based on the percent body fat that you think is most
accurate (5 pts). Show your work.
1.
Do the assumptions for the estimation of body fat by underwater weighing apply
for all populations? What assumption underlies this estimation (10 pts)?
13
2.
What diseases have an increased Waist to Hip (WHR)? (5 pts) Just list them.
1.
Why is WHR associated with these diseases (10 pts)? What is the mechanism?
1.
How standardized is the measurement of WHR for determining upper and lower
body fat distribution (5 pts)?
14
APPENDIX
1.
Using the questions from McArdle, Katch & Katch (on reserve) determine % body
fat from appropriate circumference measurements.
1.
Durnin - sum the average of biceps, triceps, supscapular, and suprailiac skinfold
and determine % BF from Table.
1.
Yuhasz
Women
Men
Men
(<35 years) = (sum) (0.217)
- 4.47
(<35 years) = (sum) (0.097) + 3.641
(>35 years) = (sum) (0.1066) + 4.975
Sum for women = sum of averages for triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, umbilical,
front thigh, rear thigh.
Sum for men = sum of averages for triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, chest,
umbilical, front thigh.
1.
Allen
% FAT = 0.7
(
W
t
)
(sum-40) (SA) 0.739 - 0.003
20
________________
wt
_________________________________
wt
wt = body weight in kg
sum = sum of averages of CK, CH, TR, CT, MA, SI, UM, SB, KN, CA
SA = surface area (see nomogram)
15
1.
Jackson, Pollock
a.
7 -site Subscapular, triceps, chest, axilla, suprailium,
abdominal, thigh (see computer program - “skinfold”).
Adult Males
Adult Females
BD = 1.12000000 - 02.00043499
+ 0.00000055 (x1)
- 0.00028826 (x6)
BD
= 1.0970 - 0.00246971(x1)
+ 0.00000056 (x1)
- 0.000128228 (x6)
X1 = sum of 7 skinfolds
X6 = age
% Fat = (4.95 - 4.50) 100
BD
b. 3-site -
Using the tables provided, determine percent body fat. Use both
3-site tables to get 2 different body fat percents.
BODY FAT CLASSIFICATION
AT RISK
ABOVE AVERAGE
WOMEN%
>25%
>32%
15-25%
BELOW AVERAGE
MINIMAL WEIGHT
MEN%
5-15%
<5%
16
23-32%
8-14% to 33%
<8%