Calibrating skinfold calipers

Abstract

While athletes are routinely assessed for changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue with skinfold calipers, absolute dynamic calibration of caliper jaw compression is currently not possible. The first part of this study describes how dynamic compression of foam rubber blocks can be used to monitor the relative calibration of a single pair of calipers as springs fatigue, or to alert an investigator to variations in measurement values between different calipers. The second part of the study, carried out on 10 female athletes, demonstrated that the significant differences established by the foam block method of calibration also translated into a significant difference for the sum of seven subcutaneous skinfolds. Foam blocks can be used as a simple, inexpensive method to establish a calibration range and can also be used to recheck calipers periodically, depending upon their use.