Second Edition · Chapter 3 Assessment · Original Test 4.02 Skinfold Measurements
Available photographic references for the adult male skinfold sites in the tennis book. The separate adult calf photograph is a regional reference only.
How To Perform The Test
- Use dry skin and calibrated calipers. Avoid testing immediately after exercise, when fluid shifts can affect readings.
- Mark the specified sites on the athlete’s right side so follow-up readings use the same locations.
- Pinch the fold away from underlying muscle, place the caliper perpendicular to the fold below the fingers, and read it within two seconds while maintaining the pinch.
- 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.
The male photographs demonstrate placement on the model’s left side. Collect and record the measurements on the right side as specified above; do not treat the photographed side as a change to the protocol. The abdomen photograph also places the caliper below the navel. Use the written landmark rather than copying that position.
Adult Male Seven-Site Photo Guide
The available photographs illustrate six of the seven adult sites. The triceps site is described below without a photograph. A complete adult seven-site record still requires all seven site averages; the separate calf reference is excluded.
Triceps: Vertical fold on the rear midline of the upper arm, halfway between shoulder and elbow. A matching male triceps photograph is not currently available in this guide.
Separate Medial Calf Reference
This adult-model photograph is a calf-region reference only. It does not establish a valid youth landmark or fold direction and is not part of the adult seven-site sum. Select a fully documented youth protocol before collecting or interpreting a calf measurement.
Recording The Results
Average three readings per adult site, then add the seven site averages to obtain the sum of skinfolds. The book provides a population and sex-specific body-density equation followed by a body-fat estimate. Use the correct equation for the athlete and protocol; do not mix the adult seven-site measurements with the adult three-site, athlete two-site, or youth two-site methods.
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
For a tape-based field measure, see 4.01 Male Circumference Measurements. Use the Fitness Assessment index to explore other tests.
See the female skinfold photo guide for the same adult seven-site landmarks.
Book Reference
4.02 Skinfold Measurements, retained as Test 4.02 in Chapter 3 of Advanced Concepts of Strength & Conditioning for Tennis. Site landmarks and protocols correspond to the tennis edition.
Assessment Guides
Skinfold Measurements — 4.02 links to both photographic protocols and the shared recording guidance.