Measuring chest skinfold involves using skinfold calipers to pinch and measure the thickness of subcutaneous fat in the pectoral region. The technique differs slightly for men and women.
Measurement Procedure
The chest skinfold measurement is a common method for estimating body fat percentage. Here's a breakdown of how to perform the measurement correctly:
For Men:
- Location: The chest skinfold is measured diagonally.
- Finding the Spot: Identify the midpoint between the armpit (axilla) and the nipple. This is where you'll take the measurement.
- Pinching the Skin: Pinch the skin and subcutaneous fat at the identified midpoint, ensuring you are lifting the skin away from the underlying muscle. The fold should run diagonally.
- Caliper Placement: Place the calipers about 1 cm (approximately 0.4 inches) away from your fingers, perpendicular to the length of the skinfold.
- Reading the Caliper: Read the measurement on the caliper dial a few seconds after applying the pressure. Make sure the reading is stable.
- Take multiple measurements: It's important to take at least three measurements and average them. Allow 15 seconds between each measurement.
For Women:
- Location: The chest skinfold is also measured diagonally.
- Finding the Spot: Measure one-third of the distance from the armpit (axilla) to the nipple. This is where you'll take the measurement.
- Pinching the Skin: Pinch the skin and subcutaneous fat at the identified one-third point, ensuring you are lifting the skin away from the underlying muscle. The fold should run diagonally.
- Caliper Placement: Place the calipers about 1 cm (approximately 0.4 inches) away from your fingers, perpendicular to the length of the skinfold.
- Reading the Caliper: Read the measurement on the caliper dial a few seconds after applying the pressure. Make sure the reading is stable.
- Take multiple measurements: It's important to take at least three measurements and average them. Allow 15 seconds between each measurement.
Important Considerations:
- Caliper Quality: Use calibrated skinfold calipers for accurate measurements.
- Consistent Technique: Ensure consistent pinching and caliper placement for reliable results.
- Experienced Tester: Ideally, a trained professional should perform the measurements.
- Hydration: Ensure proper hydration for accurate measurements.
- Skin Condition: Do not measure the skinfold if the area is wet, oily, or irritated.
- Don't Measure Over Clothing: Make sure that the skinfold measurement is done on bare skin.
Example:
Let's say you are measuring a man's chest skinfold. You find the halfway point between his armpit and nipple, pinch the skin diagonally, and use calipers to get readings of 12mm, 13mm, and 11mm. The average chest skinfold measurement would be 12mm.
By following these steps, you can accurately measure chest skinfold thickness, contributing to a more complete assessment of body composition.
