KINEANTHROPOMETRY

AND SOMATOTYPE
Nutrition and Physical Activity
DRA. MARISSA ISLAS ROMERO
Body evaluation

• Obtaining the body composition of an athlete through simple

techniques is essential in sports evaluation, it allows us to see
where we are and where the plan should go.
• They have to be taken into account
• Phantom proportionality (William Ross)
• The proportionality model application, based on ideal proportions, has a great
impact on high performance sports, due to best athletes to resemble
anthropometrically.
• The Somatotype (Heath - Carter)
• Body composition

A relationship between competitive success and physique traits has been identified.
The specific physique traits associated with competitive success vary with the sport.
The five levels of human body composition
History of body evaluation

Adolphe Quetelet (1833)

Jindrich Matiegica (1921)
Body Mass Index
4 component method

William Sheldon
Somatotype concept Behnke (1942) Father of
Kinatropometry

Siri (1961)
Hydrodensitometry for determination of
fat and lean mass

Isak was established in

Glasgow (1986)
 Hydrodensitometry

• Hydrodensitometry, or underwater weighing (UWW),

has long been considered the gold-standard method
for assessing body composition.
• The technique is based on Archimedes’ principle that
body mass in air compared to body mass when
totally submerged in water is directly related to the
density of the water displaced.
• Body density derived from hydrodensitometry can be
used to estimate the relative fat content of the
human body and is based on the principle that water,
fat, protein, and mineral have different but constant
densities
Dual Energy X-Ra y Absorptiometry

• DXA was originally developed for the diagnosis of

osteoporosis and remains the gold-standard tool for
this assessment.
• DXA technology is also able to measure soft-tissue
body composition, rapidly gaining popularity in
recent years as one of the most widely used and
accepted laboratory-based methods for body-
composition analysis.
• DXA not only provides a measure of FM and FFM, it
also provides information on regional body
composition (arms, legs, trunk, differences between
left and right side)
Air displacement plethysmography

• Quick, comfortable, automated, noninvasive, and safe

technique provides an estimate of percent fat from body
density without being submerged under water and
accommodates a range of subject types, including very tall
and muscular athletes.
• Air displacement plethysmography utilizes basic gas laws to
describe the inverse relationship between pressure and
volume in two enclosed chambers, consequently allowing
for the calculation of body density and body composition.
Bioelectrical Impedance

• BIA is a safe and noninvasive method to assess

body composition that is based on the differing
electrical conductivity of FM and FFM.
• FFM contains water and electrolytes and is a
good electrical conductor, while anhydrous fat
mass is not.
• The method involves measuring the resistance
(R) to flow of a low level (800 μA) 50 kilohertz
(KHz) current.
• Resistance is proportional to the length (L) of
the conductor (in this case, the human body)
and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional
area (A).
 Somatotyping

• Method for describing the human physique in terms of a number of

traits that relate to body shape and composition.

• Characterized as skinny, weak, and usually tall with low

Ectomorph: testosterone levels; described as intelligent, gentle and
calm, but self-conscious, introverted and anxious.

• Characterized as hard and strong naturally with even

weight distribution, muscular with weight training, thick-
Mesomorph: skinned, and as having good posture with narrow waist;
described as competitive, extroverted, and tough.

• Characterized as fat, usually short, and having difficulty

A- Mesomorph B- Endomorph C- Ectomorph
Endomorph: losing weight; described as outgoing, friendly, happy and
laid-back, but also lazy and selfish.
How to evaluate somatotype

ENDOMORPHY VALUES RELATIVE FAT

MESOMORPHY VALUES MUSCLE - SKELETAL DEVELOPMENT

ECTOMORPHY VALUES RELATIVE LINEARITY

 Kinanthropometry

• Kinanthropometry is the study of human body size, shape

and form and how those characteristics relate to human
movement and sporting performance.
It is an objective and non-invasive method of measuring the constitution and
composition of general and specific parts.
• Use simple, fast and inexpensive measures
• Reflects long-term changes in nutritional intake
• The results obtained are evaluated by comparing them with standard
references according to age and sex.

In recognition of the need for standardized methods in the assessment of skinfolds and other
surface anthropometry techniques, ISAK has established clearly defined landmarks from
which skinfold sites are identified
Potential errors of kinanthropometry assessment

As a result of the inexperience of the examiner

Lack of individual cooperation

Due to improper use of the equipment

Due to significant changes in nutritional status.

Due to pathological conditions (edema, osteoporosis) that can

alter height or weight.

Due to physiological changes during the course of the day

Types of calipers

LANGE HARPENDER

HOLTAIN
SLIM GUIDE METACAL WARRIOR
Skinfold measurements – general technique

• During measurement the subject should stand erect but relaxed

through the shoulders and arms.
• A warm room and easy atmosphere will help the subject to relax,
which will help the measurer to manipulate the skinfold.
• Ideally, but not essentially, the site should be marked with a
washable felt pen.
• The objective is to raise a double fold of skin and subcutaneous
adipose leaving the underlying muscle undisturbed.
• All skinfolds are measured on the right side of the body.
Measurements should be made in series – moving from one
site to the next until the entire protocol is complete.
Skinfold measurements – general technique

• The measurer takes the fold between thumb and fore finger of
the left hand following the natural cleavage lines of the skin.
• The calliper is held in the right hand and the pressure plates of
the calliper are applied perpendicular to the fold and 1 cm below
or to the right of the fingers, depending on the direction of the
raised skinfold.
• The calliper is held in position for 2 s prior to recording the
measurement to the nearest 0.2 mm. The grasp is maintained
throughout the measurement.
• The mean of duplicate or the median of triplicate measures
(when the first two measures differ by more than 5%) is
recommended.
Acromiale
Definition: The point on the superior aspect of
the most lateral part of the acromion border.
Subject position: The subject assumes a relaxed
position with the arm hanging by the side. The
shoulder girdle should be in a midposition.

Mid-Acromiale–Radiale
Definition: The midpoint of the straight line
joining the acromiale and the radiale.
Subject position: The subject assumes a
relaxed position with the arms hanging by
Radiale the sides.
Definition: The point at the proximal and lateral
border of the head of the radius.
Subject position: The subject assumes a relaxed
position with the arm hanging by the side and the
hand in the midprone position.
Martinez, 2013
 Martinez, 2013
Biceps Skinfold Site
Definition: The point on the anterior surface of the arm in the
midline at the level of the mid-acromiale–radiale landmark.
Location: This point can be located by projecting the mid-acromiale–
radiale site perpendicularly to the long axis of the arm around to the
front of the arm and intersecting the projected line with a vertical
line in the middle of the arm when viewed from the front.

Triceps Skinfold Site

Definition: The point on the posterior surface of the arm, in the
midline, at the level of the marked mid-acromiale–radiale landmark.
Location: This point is located by projecting the mid-acromiale–radiale
site perpendicularly to the long axis of the arm around to the back of
the arm and intersecting the projected line with a vertical line in the
middle of the arm when viewed from behind.
 Subscapulare
Definition: The undermost tip of the inferior angle of the scapula.
Location: Palpate the inferior angle of the scapula with the left thumb. If
there is difficulty locating the inferior angle of the scapula, have the
subject slowly reach behind the back with the right arm. The inferior
angle of the scapula should then be felt continuously as the hand is again
placed by the side of the body. A final check of this landmark should be
made with the hand by the side in the relaxed position.

Subscapular Skinfold Site

Definition: The site 2 cm along a line running laterally and obliquely
downward from the subscapulare landmark at a 45° angle. arms hanging
by the sides.
Location: Use a tape measure to locate the point 2 cm from the
subscapulare in a line 45° laterally downward.

Martinez, 2013
 Iliocristale Martinez, 2013
Definition: The point on the iliac crest where a line drawn from the
midaxilla (middle of the armpit), on the longitudinal axis of the body,
meets the ilium.
Location: Use your left hand to stabilize the body by providing resistance
on the left side of the pelvis. Find the general location of the top of the
iliac crest with the palm or the fingers of the right hand. Once the
general position has been located, find the specific edge of the crest by
horizontal palpation with the tips of the fingers. Once identified, draw a
horizontal line.

Iliac Crest Skinfold Site

Definition: The site at the center of the skinfold raised immediately above
the marked iliocristale.
Location: This skinfold is raised superior to the iliocristale. To do this, place
the left thumb tip on the marked iliocristale site and raise the skinfold
between the thumb and index finger of the left hand. Once the skinfold has
been raised, mark its center with a cross (+). The fold runs slightly
downwards anteriorly as determined by the natural fold of the skin.
 Martinez, 2013
Iliospinale
Definition: The most inferior or undermost part of the tip of the anterior
superior iliac spine.
Location: Palpate the superior aspect of the ilium and follow it anteriorly
until the anterior superior iliac spine is reached. The landmark is marked
at the lower margin or edge where the bone can just be felt. Difficulty in
appraising the landmark can be eased by the subject lifting the heel of
the right foot and rotating the femur outward. Because the sartorius
muscle originates at the iliospinale, this movement of the femur enables
palpation of the muscle and tracing to its origin.

Supraspinale Skinfold Site

Definition: The point at the intersection of two lines:
1. The line from the marked iliospinale to the anterior axillary border, and
2. The horizontal line at the level of the marked iliocristale.
Location: Run a tape from the anterior axillary border to the marked
iliospinale,and draw a short line along the side roughly at the level of the
iliocristale. Thenrun the tape horizontally around from the marked
liocristale to intersect the first line.
Abdominal Skinfold Site
Definition: The point 5 cm horizontally to the right-hand side of the omphalion (midpoint of the navel).
Location: The site is identified by a horizontal measure of 5 cm, to the subject’s right, from the
omphalion. The skinfold taken at this site is a vertical fold.
Note: The distance of 5 cm assumes an adult height of approximately 170 cm. Where height differs
markedly from this, the distance should be scaled for height. For example, if the stature is 120 cm, the
distance will be 5 × 120/170 = 3.5 cm.
Martinez, 2013
 Martinez, 2013

Medial Calf Skinfold Site

Definition: The point on the most medial aspect of the calf at the level of the maximal girth.
Subject position: The subject assumes a relaxed standing position with the arms hanging by the sides. The subject’s feet should be
separated with the weight evenly distributed.
Location: The level of the maximum girth is determined by trial and error. It is found by using the middle fingers to manipulate the position
of the tape in a series of up or down measurements. Once the maximal level is located, the point is marked on the medial aspect of the calf
with a mall cross (+) or other suitable mark.
Note: For easier viewing, the photograph shows the medial aspect of the lower leg. However, the site is located with the subject standing.
Method: The subject’s right foot is placed on a box with the calf relaxed. The fold is parallel to the long axis of the leg.
 Front Thigh Skinfold Site
Definition: The midpoint of the linear distance between the inguinal point and the patellare (the midpoint of
the posterior, superior border of the patella).

Subject position: The subject assumes a seated position with the torso erect and the arms hanging by the
sides. The knee of the right leg should be bent at a right angle.

Location: The measurer stands facing the right side of the seated subject on the lateral side of the thigh. If
there is difficulty locating the inguinal fold, the subject should flex the hip to make a fold. Place a small
horizontal mark at the level of the midpoint between the two landmarks. Now draw a perpendicular line to
intersect the horizontal line. This perpendicular line is located in the midline of the thigh. If a tape is used,
be sure to avoid following the curvature of the surface of the skin. with this skinfold, two methods

• Method: Because of difficulties with this skinfold, two methods are

recommended. Be sure to record on the pro forma the method used as A or B. In
both methods, the leg is extended, and the subject supports the hamstrings.
• Method A: The measurer stands facing the right side of the subject on the
lateral side of the thigh. The skinfold is raised at the marked site, and the
measurement taken.
• Method B: Subjects with particularly tight skinfolds are asked to assist by
lifting the underside of the thigh (as in Method A). The recorder (standing
on the subject’s left) assists by raising the fold, with both hands, at about
6 cm either side of the landmark. The measurer then raises the skinfold at
the marked site and takes the measurement.

Martinez, 2013
• Adipometer or Callypher located
1cm from the fingers and 90 ° from
the surface of the crease site.
• Measurement record 2 seconds
after applying full pressure from
the adipometer.
• Non-consecutive measurements.
Bone diameters

• Distance between two structures of a certain

bone.
• It is measured with the pachymeter or bone
diameter caliper and only the right side of
the body is measured.
• The measurement of bone diameters is
related to the determination of bone weight
and somatype.
Bicondylar femur: is the distance between the medial and lateral
condyle of the femur.
The subject will be seated, with a 90º knee flexion, and the
anthropometrist stands in front of him. The branches of the caliper face
downward at the bisector of the right angle formed by the knee.

Biepicondyle of humerus: it is the distance between the epicondyle and

the epitrochlea of the humerus.
The subject should offer the anthropometrist the elbow in supination
and maintaining a 90º flexion in it.
The branches of the caliper point upward at the bisector of the angle
formed by the elbow. The median is somewhat oblique, since the
epicondyle is usually in a plane somewhat inferior to the epicondyle.

Bistyloid. Distance between the styloid process of the radius and the
ulna. The anthropometrist is in front of the studied person who will be
sitting with the forearm prone on the thigh and the hand flexed with
the wrist at a 90º angle. The branches of the caliper are directed
downward at the wrist angle bisector. The measurement will be taken
from the right side.
 Perimeters

• They are measurements of circumferences

measured in cm.
• The anthropometrist should have the tape measure
in the right hand, and the free end in the left, help
with the fingers to keep the tape measure in the
correct position, keeping the right angle with the
axis of the bone or segment to be measured.
• The tape is passed around the area to be measured,
without compressing soft tissues, and the reading is
made where the tape is juxtaposed on itself
 Waist circumference
Corresponds to the lower contour of the
abdomen, it is usually located in the midpoint
between the costal edge and the iliac crest.

Hip circumference
It is the maximum perimeter of the hip,
approximately at the level of the pubic symphysis
and selecting the most prominent point of the
buttocks.
 Thigh circumference
Taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the thigh. Taken at
the mid-level between the trochanteric and lateral tibial marks

Maximum leg circumference below the knee joint.

 RELAXED ARM: Perimeter that
passes through the midpoint of
the acromio-radial distance.
The athlete is in a standard
position with the arms relaxed
on both sides of the body.

CONTRACTED AND FLEXED ARM:

It is the maximum perimeter of the arm that is voluntarily contracted.
The studied is in a standing position, with the arm antepulsion and
horizontal.
The forearm is placed in complete supination and at approximately 45º
of flexion.
The evaluator stands on the right side and, asking the patient to
tighten the branchial biceps as much as possible, takes the maximum
perimeter reached
Equations to estimate % Fat body mass

• Durnin & Womersley (1974)

• Lewis y cols (1978)

• Katch & McArdle (1973)

• Sloan, Burt & Blyth (1962)

• Thorland & cols (1984)

• Withers y cols (1987c)

Other methods to determine body
composition

Measurement of total body water

• Water is located in the lean portion, its concentration in it is constant. Measuring the water
allows you to determine the lean fraction.
Body cell mass
• Lean mass made up of cells, excluding extracellular water and bone minerals. K + is used,
because it is located Computed tomography and magnetic resonance
• Provides quantitative calculations of fat and a ratio between intra-abdominal and extra-
abdominal fat.

Ultrasound
• Muscle, bone and fat have different density and acoustic properties. Using high-frequency
sound waves, the thickness of fat is measured in different parts of the body.
• Ramos-Jiménez, Arnulfo. Ecuaciones antropométricas para el cálculo de
grasa corporal en adultos jóvenes. Archivos latinoamericanos de
nutrición, Vol. 68 N° 2, 2018.
• Martinez, José. Antropometría. Manual básio para estudios de salud
pública, nutrición comunitaria y epidemiología nutricional. Alicante 2013
• Driskell, Judy A; Wolinsky, Ira. Nutritional Assessment of Athletes. Taylor
and Francis Group, Second Edition, 2011.
• Saverza, Araceli. Manual de antropometría para le evaluación del estado
nutricio en el adulto. Universidad Iberoamericana, 2009, México D.F.
• Sirvent, Enrique. Valoración antropométrica de la composición corporal:
Cineatropometría. Universidad Alicante, 2009, España.