Female Skinfold Measurements For Tennis | 4.02

Second Edition · Chapter 3 Assessment · Original Test 4.02 Skinfold Measurements

A seven-site photo guide for adult female athletes, following the anatomical sites and measurement procedure in the tennis edition.

How To Perform The Test

  1. Use dry skin and calibrated calipers; avoid measuring immediately after exercise.
  2. Locate and mark each anatomical site on the athlete’s right side.
  3. Pinch the skinfold away from the underlying muscle, place the caliper perpendicular to the fold just below the fingers, and read it within two seconds while holding the fold.
  4. Take three readings per site with about 20 seconds between readings. Retain all readings in millimetres; the source requires values within 2 mm. If the spread exceeds 2 mm, recheck landmark and fold and obtain a consistent set before calculating the mean.

Use the book’s exact landmark and fold direction. A photo shows the region and caliper placement but cannot substitute for locating the anatomical landmark on the individual being tested.

Adult Female Seven-Site Photo Guide

The adult seven-site protocol uses the average from each of the seven sites below.

female triceps skinfold site reference
Triceps: Vertical fold on the rear midline of the upper arm, midway between shoulder and elbow.
female chest skinfold site reference
Chest: Diagonal fold midway between nipple and front of the armpit.
female subscapular skinfold site reference
Subscapular: Diagonal fold below the shoulder blade, angled away from the spine.
female midaxillary skinfold site reference
Midaxillary: Vertical fold on the side of the torso at the xiphoid level.
female abdomen skinfold site reference
Abdomen: Vertical fold about 2 cm to the right of the navel.
female suprailiac skinfold site reference
Suprailiac: Diagonal fold above the iliac crest at the anterior axillary line.
female thigh skinfold site reference
Thigh: Vertical fold on the front midline of the thigh between hip and kneecap.

Choosing And Recording A Protocol

For a seven-site record, sum the seven site means. The adult female three-site set uses triceps, suprailiac and thigh; keep it separate from a seven-site sum. The first-edition athlete table and worksheet conflict about the two-site assignments. The worksheet uses triceps plus suprailiac for women, but verify the complete method and eligible population before estimating body fat. Chapter 3 of the Second Edition explains the corrected adult three-site equations.

Retain the individual skinfold readings, site means and selected sum in millimetres. Any body-fat estimate depends on the documented equation, site landmarks and reference population; a general percentage-error claim does not establish accuracy for this athlete. Use the same tester, serviced caliper and conditions at follow-up.

Protocol Limits

The chest photograph illustrates the region without a marked or measured midpoint. Locate the chest site according to the selected equation protocol; a different landmark is not an interchangeable input. The first-edition youth equations are invalid as printed, and the calf description is incomplete. Do not use those expressions; a youth estimate requires a fully documented method and eligibility criteria.

Related Assessment

See the female circumference guide for tape-based measurement sites, or compare the male skinfold photo guide. Browse all tests in Fitness Assessment.

Book Reference

4.02 Skinfold Measurements, retained as Test 4.02 in Chapter 3 of Advanced Concepts of Strength & Conditioning for Tennis.

Assessment Guides

Skinfold Measurements — 4.02 links to both photographic protocols and the shared recording guidance.