Operation Manual

Polar BodyAge System SW Help
3-Site Skinfold
Guidelines for Skinfold Measurements
NOTE: With all body composition measurement techniques, the technician must be well-trained,
routinely practice the technique, and demonstrate reliability in his/her measurements before
collecting actual data.
• All measurements should be made on the right side of the body.
• Caliper should be placed 1 cm away from the thumb and finger, perpendicular to the
skinfold and halfway between the crest and the base of the fold.
• Wait one to two seconds before taking the measurement.
• The actual fold measurement will be displayed on the screen after each measurement.
• When all sites have been measured, a pie chart with percentage of the fat and lean body
mass will appear.
3-Site Skinfold Sites
Men
Chest: Diagonal fold; one-half the distance between the anterior axillary line and the nipple.
Abdomen: Vertical fold; two cm to the right side of the umbilicus.
Thigh: Vertical fold; on the anterior midline of the thigh, midway between the proximal border of
the patella and the inguinal crease (hip).
Women
Triceps: Vertical fold; on the posterior midline of the upper arm, halfway between the acromion
and olecranon processes, with the arm held freely to the side of the body.
Suprailiac: Diagonal fold; in line with the natural angle of the iliac crest taken in the anterior
axillary line immediately superior to the iliac crest.
Thigh: Vertical fold; on the anterior midline of the thigh, midway between the proximal border of
the patella and the inguinal crease (hip).
Using 3-Site Skinfold
This is the view of the 3-site on the main screen.
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