User Manual

Model 01128 User’s Manual
www.lafayetteinstrument.com
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Technical Specications
• Size: 5” x 6” x 0.6”
• Weight: 0.4lbs
• Measurement Range: 0-100mm
• Materials: Reinforced, glass-lled Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)
The Skinny on Skinfold Calipers
Skinfold Calipers are a very cost-effective means of assessing body fat composition. If each
measurement is performed correctly according to the recommended guidelines, there is a +/- 3% error.
Learning how to properly take skinfold measurements is easy, but it does take practice. It is
recommended that you practice on at least 50-100 patients before you can master the technique. To
limit variances, it is also recommend to be as consistent as possible. Have the same person take the
measurements, and try to take the measurements during the same time of the day.
When using this instrument please follow these procedures to assist you in accurately taking skinfold
measurements.
1. Take all measurements from the right side of the body. You should carefully identify, measure,
and mark all sites for accuracy and consistency.
2. It is better to take measurements when the skin is dry because when the skin is moist or wet, the
tester may grasp extra skin (fat) and get larger values.
3. The skinfold is grasped rmly by the thumb and index nger. In grasping the skinfold, the pads
at the tip of the thumb and nger are used. The fold should be lifted 1 cm above the site to be
measured.
4. Grasp the caliper and release the grip so that full compression is exerted on the skinfold. Read
to the nearest 1mm, 3 to 4 seconds after the grip has been released.
5. A minimum of two measurements should be taken at each site. If the repeated measurement
varies by more than 1mm, a third measurement should be taken.
NOTE: If consecutive fat measurements become smaller and smaller, the fat is being compressed.
The tester should go on to the next site and return to the trouble spot after nishing the
other measurements. The nal value will be the average of the two that seem to best
represent the skinfold fat site.
Practice is necessary to grasp the same size of skinfold consistently at exactly the same location every
time. If there are a number of testers, the testers should practice this method together to standardize
their testing procedures to avoid inter-tester error. If this is done, inter-tester error can usually be kept
to less than 1 percent fat.
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