{"id":35476,"date":"2020-06-12T14:14:10","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T12:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/?p=35476"},"modified":"2026-11-03T17:12:44","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T16:12:44","slug":"anthropometry-measurements-body-composition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/anthropometry-measurements-body-composition\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthropometry: what it is, what it measures and why it matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Changes in fat or muscle mass can affect sports performance. If you have read <a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/body-composition-estimate-body-fat\/\">What is body composition and how is body fat calculated?<\/a><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;font-size: 12pt\">,<\/span> you will know that anthropometry and bioimpedance are two practical ways to assess it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here we focus on anthropometry, a familiar technique in sport, and compare it with <a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/bioimpedance-scales-how-to-use\/\">bioimpedance scales for body composition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What is anthropometry, and what is it for?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anthropometry analyses <\/span><b>body compositio<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">n and proportions to help understand their relationship with performance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Body-composition information can inform <\/span><b>nutritional planning<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, goals and outcomes. It establishes a starting point, but is especially useful for <\/span><b>tracking change over time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. One isolated measurement has limited value. <\/span><b>Nutritionists look at trends across repeated assessments.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Body composition also influences energy expenditure: more muscle generally increases resting needs, among other factors. Watch this video on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/inutriciondeportiva\/videos\/1713845465437928\/?v=1713845465437928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b> building muscl<\/b><\/a><b>e<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for more detail.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What does an anthropometric assessment measure?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key measurements include height, weight, circumferences and skinfold thickness. Equations can use these in a 4-component model estimating <\/span><b>muscle, fat, bone and residual mass<\/b>; these are model-based estimates, not direct scans of each tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>muscle component<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> represents the body&#8217;s skeletal muscle tissues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>fat component<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> includes:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Subcutaneous fat.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Fat beneath the skin, assessed indirectly through skinfold measurements.<\/span>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Visceral fat.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Fat within the abdomen around organs. Excess visceral fat can be a health concern, but skinfolds do not measure it directly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>bone component<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is an estimate of bone mass, not a measurement of bone mineral density.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>residual component<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> represents other tissues and structures, such as organs, blood vessels and connective tissues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anthropometry versus bioimpedance<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now you know what <strong>anthropometry<\/strong> involves, how does it differ from <strong>bioimpedance testing<\/strong> for body composition?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here is an overview.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a bioimpedance assessment?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It uses a device, often a <strong>body-analysis scale<\/strong>, that passes a small electrical current through the body and measures impedance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It relies on differences in <strong>electrical properties between tissues<\/strong>, influenced largely by their water and electrolyte content.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Because it measures impedance and uses equations rather than directly weighing each tissue, it is a <strong>doubly indirect assessment<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each device may use a <strong>different equation to estimate the proportions<\/strong> of body components.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The accuracy of <strong>bioimpedance scales<\/strong> and anthropometry depends on the device, protocol, equation and practitioner. Standardising conditions can improve repeatability; our bioimpedance post explains how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One useful habit is using the same scale. The original article highlights the <span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.es\/Cecotec-Surface-Precision-10600-Healty\/dp\/B08LDGJDNR?th=1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=indya09-21&amp;linkId=56bfc7bc26410dd8fab08bd3dfd416c1&amp;language=es_ES&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Surface Precision 10600 Smart Healthy Pro<\/a> as an affordable option.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How can anthropometry help me?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compared with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/bioimpedance-scales-how-to-use\/\"> <b>bioimpedance<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <strong>anthropometry<\/strong> gives a practitioner direct access to individual measurements, helping interpret where changes occurred. Neither method is universally more accurate for every purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Correct measurement needs <\/span><b>appropriate interpretation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The judgement of a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/\"><b> sports nutritionist<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can help.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What measurements are included<b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside height and weight, there are 3 broad groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Circumferences<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tape measurements help track changes in body size, including muscle-related changes and waist circumference, though they are not direct measurements of muscle mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common sites include the abdomen, relaxed and flexed arm, mid-thigh, calf and hips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Breadths<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are distances between anatomical landmarks and can contribute to bone-mass estimates. They require a suitable <strong>bone breadth calliper<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common breadths include the wrist (bistyloid), knee (biepicondylar femur) and elbow (biepicondylar humerus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Skinfolds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skinfolds assess a compressed double layer of skin and subcutaneous tissue using a <strong>skinfold calliper<\/strong>. Their sum can help track changes in subcutaneous fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different equations estimate body-fat percentage for different populations, including athletes and the general population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original illustration shows 9 possible skinfold sites; protocols differ, and the standard ISAK profile uses its specified measurement sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"841\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-pliegues.webp\" alt=\"anthropometric skinfold sites\" class=\"wp-image-29320\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.6142034548944337;width:841px;height:auto\" title=\"Skinfold sites for anthropometry\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-pliegues.webp 841w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-pliegues-300x186.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-pliegues-768x476.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reliability and limitations<b> <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br><\/span>Anthropometry can be a <strong>reliable technique<\/strong> when standardised. It should be performed by <strong>appropriately trained practitioners<\/strong>. At the time of writing, INDYA assessments were performed by sports nutritionists with ISAK level 1 or level 2 accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Measurement quality varies with the practitioner and equipment. Calibration and regular technique practice matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Direct complications are uncommon, but obtaining some landmarks and skinfolds can be more difficult in people with severe obesity, increasing measurement uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What types of assessment are available<b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br><\/span>Assessments differ according to their measurements. At the time, INDYA offered 2 types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Short anthropometric assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weight, height, abdominal circumference and three skinfolds: iliac crest, supraspinale and abdominal. It can establish an initial reference before a more complete follow-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br><\/span><strong>2. Full anthropometric assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, this includes biceps, triceps, subscapular, front-thigh and medial-calf skinfolds; relaxed and flexed arm, mid-thigh, calf and hip circumferences; and wrist, femur and humerus breadths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"841\" height=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-que-es.webp\" alt=\"what an anthropometric assessment involves\" class=\"wp-image-29321\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4911347517730495;width:841px;height:auto\" title=\"Full anthropometric assessment at INDYA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-que-es.webp 841w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-que-es-300x201.webp 300w, https:\/\/getindya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/antropometria-que-es-768x515.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anthropometry for athletes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Seeing the <strong>same number on the scale<\/strong> can make progress seem stalled. An <strong>anthropometric assessment<\/strong> may reveal <strong>changes in body composition<\/strong> despite stable weight.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is another tool for monitoring <strong>an athlete&#8217;s progress<\/strong> and considering whether the <strong>current strategy is appropriate<\/strong> or a<strong> different approach is needed.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To take these recommendations further and adapt them to your goals, training and actual needs, INDYA offers a <a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/athletes\/\">sports nutritionist<\/a> to design and adjust a personalised nutrition plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To complement your<\/span> <b>online nutritional planning<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with anthropometry, visit the<\/span> <b><a href=\"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/athletes\/sports-nutritionist-in-valencia\/\">INDYA centre in Valencia<\/a><\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">where we will have the callipers ready ;)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Useful links<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30726000\/?from_term=anthropometric&amp;from_filter=ds1.y_5&amp;from_pos=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Anthropometric measurements.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how anthropometry estimates body composition, what measurements it uses and how it can support sports nutrition planning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":19614,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[220],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35476"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35691,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35476\/revisions\/35691"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}