Breadths or Diameters

 

Home

Definitions and Illustrations of Breadths or Diameter Sites:

Technique
  1. All measurements should taken at least twice, but no more than three times.
  2. Take a third measurement if the first two are not within 2%
  3. For data reduction:


    4.
    1. If two breadths are taken, average the two.
    2. If three breadths are taken, and two are within 2%, average those two.
    3. If three breadths are taken and all demonstrate equal variance, average the three.

  4. To take the measurement, locate the anatomical markers.

  5. Put the tips of the calipers on each anatomical site. Apply enough force to condense the subcutaneous tissue, but not too much to cause discomfort.

  6. Read the calipers to the nearest millimeter.

    7.
Breadths or Diameters:

Humerus
      Distance between the condyles of the humerus with the elbow flexed and hand supinated. (Sites can be easily identified upon flexion and extension of the subject's arm). Measurement should be taken on the person's right elbow.

     

Biacromial
      Distance between the most lateral projections of the acromial processes with the elbows next to the body and the hands resting on the thighs.

 
Bitrochanteric
      Distance between the most lateral projections of the greater trochanter. (Site can be easily identified by having the subject abduct and adduct his or her leg).

  
Billiac
      Distance between the most lateral projections of the iliac crest.

  

Femur
     With the individual seated and the knee bent at a right angle, the greatest distance between the lateral and medial epicondyle of the femur is determined with firm pressure on the cross bars. (Site can be easily identified when the subject is flexing and extending his or her leg). Measurement should be taken on the right leg.

 

The breadths are as described in Behnke and Wilmore (1974), except for femur which is as described by Carter (1982).
This page was last updated 12 March 2002
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~k561/
Webmaster: Janet P. Wallace, PhD, FACSM
Contact:wallacej@indiana.edu
Copyright 1998, The Trustees of Indiana University