Fitness Testing

Fitness Testing > Tests > Anthropometry > Body Size > Length

Length and Height Measures

Length measures are made at standard anatomical sites around the body, measured with a tape measure or ruler. See also the body size tests of beadth.

• equipment required: steel ruler or flexible metal tape measure and pen for marking the skin. If a plastic or cloth tape is used, it should be checked regularly against a metal tape as others may stretch over time.
• procedure: First mark the sites to be measured. For descriptions of the procedure for measuring specific lengths see the list below.

• sites: Below are some common sites used for length measurements. Click on the link for a detailed description of the procedure. Sites marked with * are part of the ISAK full anthropometry profile.
  • Standing Height *
  • Sitting Height *
  • Arm Length
  • Arm Span
  • Hand Span
  • Recumbent Length
  • Foot Length *
  • Acromiale-Radiale (upper arm length) *
  • Radiale-stylion (forearm length) *
  • midstylion-dactylion (hand length) *
  • iliospinale (height from floor to hip) *
  • trochanterion (height from floor to top of femur) *
  • trochanterion-tibiale laterale (thigh length) *
  • tibiale laterale to floor (lower leg length, knee height) *
  • tibiale mediale-sphyrion tibiale (tibia length)*
• reliability: Things that may affect reliability are changes to the testers, constant and even tension on the tape, and correct landmarking (finding the correct anatomical sites for measurement).
• advantages: low costs involved in the testing procedure, and for many sites the measurement can be self administered.

Related Pages

• A discussion about Body Size Testing
• other anthropometric tests
• Videos of Anthropometric Tests