Re-cap• BMI

• WHR

Definitions• Mass: the body’s total weight.

• Body composition: The relative percentage of muscle, fat, bone, and

other tissues that comprise the body.

• Fat mass: is made up of fat (adipose tissue).

• Percentage body fat: % of total body weight that is composed of fat.

• Lean body mass: Lean body mass is the weight of a person's body minus

the fat. This includes muscle, bones, organs, and other nonfat tissue.

Definitions• Underfat: too little body weight comprised of fat.

• Overfat: too much of the body weight comprised of fat.

• Obese: extreme overfatness.

• Moderately Overweight: 20% over desirable body weight.

• Severely overweight: 40% over desirable body weight.

Proper uses of results:- Serve as baseline data for repeated testing.-Provide motivation for goal setting.-Provide awareness about health risks.-Estimate athlete’s optimal body weight.-Monitor changes in body composition (Athletes, children, overweight persons)

Proper uses of results:- Serve as baseline data for repeated testing.-Provide motivation for goal setting.-Provide awareness about health risks.-Estimate athlete’s optimal body weight.-Monitor changes in body composition (Athletes, children, overweight persons)

BMI

WHR

Skinfold assessment

BMI

WHR

Skinfold assessment

Body Composition

Testing

Levels of Body Fatness Men Women

Essential fat 5% 10%Borderline 6-9% 11-16%Good fitness - health 10-20% 17-28%Marginal fitness 21-25% 29-35%Overfatness > 25% > 35%

• Essential fat: the minimum amount of fat in the body necessary to maintain healthy living

• Nonessential fat: extra fat, or fat reserves stored in the body.

Body Composition Assessment Techniques

Skinfold Technique• Layers of subcutaneous fat are measured at different sites of body

to estimate total body fat levels.

• Advantages• Fairly accurate• Easy to perform• Inexpensive

• Disadvantages• Human error

4 SiteTricepsBiceps

SubscapularSuprailiac

4 SiteTricepsBiceps

SubscapularSuprailiac

Common Skinfold Sites

7 SiteChestAxilla

TricepsSubscapular

AbdomenSupraillium

Thigh

7 SiteChestAxilla

TricepsSubscapular

AbdomenSupraillium

Thigh

Skinfold TechniquePg 158

• The skinfold assessment test is carried out using a skinfold

caliper.

• Pre-measurement Instructions:

• Measurements should not be taken after training or

competition, sauna, swimming or showering.

• Exercise, warm water and heat can produce dehydration or

increased blood flow = inaccurate results.

Skinfold TechniquePg 158

1. Take the measurements on the left hand side of the body.2. Mark up the client accurately.3. Using your forefinger and thumb, pinch the skin 1 cm on either

side of the mark.4. Pull the fat away from the muscle.5. Place the caliper halfway between the top and bottom of the

skinfold.6. Allow the caliper to settle for one or two seconds.7. Take the reading and wait 15 seconds before repeating for

accuracy.8. Add up the total of the four measurements.9. Calculate body fat % using the table.

Body Fat & Sports Performance

• Excess body fat can negatively influence many types of sport performance

requiring jumping and running.

• High ratios of fat free mass to fat mass are generally positively related to sport.

• Athletes are leaner than sedentary individuals – regardless of gender.

• Extremely low fat mass in women can result in health problems (Refer: “too

thin”).

Body Fat & Sports PerformanceSwimmerSwimmer

BalletdancerBallet

dancer

Rugby playerRugby player

Volleyballplayer

Volleyballplayer

Body builderBody

builder

Sumo Wrestler

Sumo Wrestler