Unit 14: Body Composition Flashcards
Skinfold Calipers
The specialized calipers used to measure the thickness of skinfolds.
Skinfold Measurement
A method for determining body composition that involves measuring the thickness of selected folds of skin using special calipers.
Hydrostatic Weighing
A method for determining body composition that involves weighing the body underwater.
Air Displacement Plethysmograph
An air displacement plethysmograph that uses whole-body densitometry to determine body composition in adults and children and can accommodate a wide range of populations.
Bioelectrical Impedance
A body composition method that uses electricity and measurements to determine the proportion of the components in the body like body fat.
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Highly sophisticated, DEXA machine body composition determination uses what is referred to as a three-compartmental model that differentiates the body into the components of bone, fat soft tissue, and lean soft tissue.
B-mode ultrasound
Sending an acoustic wave from a transducer and interpreting the reflection of the wave by a receiver, which is located within the transducer. These reflections are interpreted by the machine and displayed as an image, and on-screen measurements can be determined from this.
Skinfold Site - Subscapula
Oblique fold just below the bottom tip of the scapula.
Skinfold Site - Suprailiac
Slightly oblique fold just above the hipbone (crest of the ileum); the fold follows the natural diagonal line.
Skinfold Site - Abdomen
Vertical fold 1 inch to the right of the umbilicus.
Skinfold Site - Triceps
Vertical fold at the posterior midline of the upper arm, halfway between the tip of the shoulder and the tip of the elbow; elbow remains extended in a relaxed position.
Skinfold Site - Thigh
Vertical fold at the midline of the thigh, two-thirds of the distance from the middle of the patella to the hip.
Skinfold Site - Chest
From the front crease of the armpit to the nipple, measure way up; using same angle, take a pinch.
Average Male Percent Body Fat
20% when young
25% over 30 years old
Average Female Percent Body Fat
- 8% when young
31. 2% past 30 years old
BMI
BMI is a measure of body weight relative to height. It is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.
Underweight BMI
Below 18.5
Normal or Healthy BMI
18.5–24.9
Overweight BMI
25.0 –29.9
Obese BMI
30.0 and Above
Lean Body Mass
All of a body’s tissues apart from the body fat: the bones, muscles, organs, blood, and water.
High Blood Pressure
Greater than or equal to 140/90 in either or both of the numbers.
Optimal Blood Pressure
120/80
Mesomorph
muscular body type
Ectomorph
linear body type
Endomorph
round body type
