Test & Measurement in Sports

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The fat percentage of children, i.e., boys and girls can be easily calculated with the help of Slaughter- Lohman children skinfold formula:

A. Triceps and calf skinfold (Males 6 to 17 years)

Body Fat percentage = (0.735 x sum of skinfold) + 1.0
B. Triceps and calf skinfold (Females 6 to 17 years)

Body fat percentage = (0.610 x sum of skinfold) + 5.0

It is important to take the measurements of triceps and calf with the help of skinfold callipers.

Procedure for measurements:

1. Triceps Skinfold: Ensure that the adult's or child's right arm is hanging loosely. Stand behind the subject and pull a vertical skinfold about half an inch about the already marked site, with the thumb and index finger pointing downward centring the mark keep the skinfold calliper perpendicular to the length of the fold, centring the mark. The calliper and not the reading on the dial after approximately four seconds. Record the measurement to the nearest millimeters.

2. Calf Skinfold: The calf skinfold is measured on the inside of the right leg at the level of maximal calf girth. The right foot is placed flat on the elevated surface with the knee flxed at a 90 degree angle. The vertical skinfold should e grasped just above the level of maximal girth and the measurement is made below the grasp. The measurements are taken in millimeters.

The measurements of triceps and calf can be computed to calculate the fat percentage:

For example: The measurements of triceps and calf of a male are 12 mm and 9 mm, respectively.

Calculate body fat percentage by using Salughter-Lohman children skinfold formula.

Body fat percentrage
= (0.735 x 10 mm + 9 m) + 1
= (0.735 x 19) + 1.0
= 13.965 + 1.0
= 14.965%