Body Fat Test
Measuring body fat percentage is an easy to discover the correct body weight and composition. This simple test predicts body fat percentage using only height and weight.
Objective
This test aims to monitor the athlete's level of body fat.
Required Resources
To conduct this test, you will require:
- Weighing Scales
- Tape Measure
- Assistant
How to conduct the test
- The assistant weighs and records the athlete's weight and measures and records the athlete's height.
Fat-free body mass (FFBM) represents the body mass devoid of all fat, whereas lean body mass (LBM) contains a small percentage of essential fat. For men Behnke (1953)[1] considered it to be FFBM+3% essential fat and for females FFBM+12% fat (3% essential fat + 9% sex-specific essential fat).
The density of fat and fat free tissue remains relatively constant: fat = 0.9 grm/cm³ and fat free tissue = 1.1 gm/cm³.
Analysis
Analysis of the result is by comparing it with previous tests' results. It is expected that the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's body fat percentage with appropriate training and diet between each test.
Target Group
This test is suitable for everyone but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.
Reliability
Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted. The following link provides various factors influencing the results and test reliability.
Validity
Test validity refers to how a test measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made based on test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor training on the athlete's physical development.
The test is not a good predictor of the percentage of body fat. However, the test can indicate changes in body composition over time.
Advantages
- Minimal equipment required
- Simple to set up and conduct
- Can be conducted almost anywhere
Disadvantages
- Specialist equipment required
- Assistant required to administer the test
Free Calculator
Free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer. The spreadsheet will be opened in a new window.
References
- Behnke, A. R., Osserman, E. F. and Welham, W. C. (1953) Lean body mass: its clinical significance and estimation from excess fat and total body water determinations. AMA archives of internal medicine, 91 (5), p. 585-601.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (2010) Body Fat Test [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/sfatcent.htm [Accessed