Circumference Measures

CIRCUMFERENCE AND WHR: Testing Procedures: Circumference
Measure weight to the nearest .5 kg
Measure height to nearest .5 cm
Determine anatomical sites for girth
Measure girths, being careful to not pull too tightly (indent skin) and avoid air space between tape and skin
Tape should be placed on skin surface without compression
Duplicate each measurement and retest if not within 5 mm (ACSM 2006)
Upper abdominal
Minimal girth between xiphoid process and navel
Hip girth
Maximal circumference of gluteal muscles
Midabdominal girth
Level of navel
Neck
Inferior to larynx with tape perpendicular to axis of neck
Arm
With subject standing erect and arms hanging freely at sides with hands facing thigh, a
horizontal measure midway between acromion and olecranon processes
Calf
With subject standing erect feet (~20 cm apart), a horizontal measure taken at the
level of maximal circumference between knee and ankle, perpendicular to long axis
Forearm
With subject standing, arms hanging downward but slightly away from trunk and
palms facing anteriorly, a measure perpendicular to the long axis at maximal
circumference
Hips/thigh
With the subject standing with legs apart (~10 cm) a horizontal measure taken at
maximal circumference of the hip/proximal thigh, just below gluteal fold
Mid-thigh
With subject standing on one foot on bench so knee is flexed to 90 degrees, a
measure is taken midway between inguinal crease and proximal border of patella,
perpendicular to long axis
Refresher: To get your Waist to hip (WHR) = upper abdominal / hip
Reference:
Kaminsky, L. A., & Bonzheim, K. A. (2006).ACSM's resource manual for Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.