Skinfold Measurements
of Children

In schools, skinfolds of children should generally be taken at the triceps and the medial calf. These two sites are used by the FITNESSGRAM health-related fitness test.

Triceps Skinfold

Triceps skinfold should be measured with the subject either sitting or standing with arms relaxed. For younger children, having a caretaker hold the child on their lap may be useful because they may be able to hold the child's arm still against the child's torso. The measuring instrument needed is a skinfold caliper. The point at which this measurement is taken is the same as that used for the mid-arm circumference. The skinfold should be grasped about one centimeter proximal to the midpoint mark on the posterior side of the arm in between the lateral and medial surfaces of the arm. The index finger and thumb should be placed eight centimeters apart on either side of the midpoint mark and then brought together to lift the skinfold away from the muscle underneath. The caliper is then applied just below the thumb and index finger, at the site of the mark made earlier. The caliper is then released, and the measurement should be read once the dial of the caliper comes to a stop. Measurements should be read to the nearest 0.1 cm and recorded.

Subscapular Skinfold

The subject should be standing with arms relaxed and hanging loosely along the sides of the body. For those subjects who can not hold themselves erect, a parent may be used to hold the trunk of the subject upright. The point of measurement is below the inferior angle of the scapula. To locate the inferior angle, the measurer should palpate the scapular border until the inferior angle is located. If the measurer has difficulty locating it, it may be found easier if the subject's arm is placed behind the back. The same sweeping motion of the index finger and thumb are used to obtain the skinfold. Approximately one centimeter away from the fingers, the caliper is applied and released. Once the dial stops moving, the measurement is read to the nearest 0.1 cm and recorded.

Calf Skinfold

Calf skinfold is measured with the subject either sitting with the knee bent at a ninety degree angle or standing with weight equally distributed on both feet. The measurer's fingers should be placed on the medial aspect of the calf one centimeter above the mark made earlier during calf circumference and pulled together to grasp the skinfold. The caliper is then applied at the site of the mark and released. The measurer should be as close to eye level as possible. The measurement is again read once the dial stops. Measurements are obtained to the nearest 0.1 cm and recorded.

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