Exercise Database

General instructions for skinfold calipers

• Caliper should be placed 1-2 cm away from the thumb and finger
  • perpendicular to the skin fold
  • halfway between the crest and the base of the fold
• Release the caliper lever so its spring tension is exerted on the skinfold
• Maintain pinch while reading caliper
• Read dial on caliper
  • Between 1 to 2 seconds after lever has been released
  • Nearest 0.5 mm (if using Harpenden calipers, take to nearest 0.2 mm)
• Rotate through measurement sites
  • allows time for skin and underlying fat to regain normal thickness
• If readings for a given site differ by more than 2 mm, take a 3rd reading.

Jackson-Pollock 7 Site

With this procedure, you will take all measurements on the right side of the body, while your subject is standing.

• Chest— Males: take a diagonal fold midway between the nipple and upper part of the pectoral muscle at the armpit.  Females: the measurement is taken 1/3 of the way between the nipple and the armpit (closer to the armpit).
• Axilla— The axilla area is on the side of the upper chest. A measurement here should be taken as a vertical fold directly under the center of the armpit and perpendicular to the nipple.
• Triceps— Have the subject bend the elbow to 90 degrees and mark the point midway between the top of the shoulder and elbow. Then, measure a vertical fold (with the calipers at a 90 degree angle) at that midway point with the arm hanging naturally at the subject’s side.
• Subscapular— Measurements of the subscapular area should be taken as a diagonal fold (calipers held at a 45 degree angle) across the back, just below the shoulder blade.
• Iliac Crest — A diagonal fold at the intersection of a vertical line between the spinal (front part of iliac crest, the protrusion of the hip bone) and front part of the armpit) and a horizontal line at the top of the iliac crest.
• Abdominal— A measurement in the abdominal area should be a vertical fold one inch to right of navel.
• Thigh— Take a vertical fold on the standing leg, midway between the kneecap and the crease where the thigh meets the hip.

1. Jackson, A.S. & Pollock, M.L. (1978) Generalized equations for predicting body density of men. British J of Nutrition, 40: p497-504.

2. Jackson, et al. (1980) Generalized equations for predicting body density of women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 12: p175-182.