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Skinfold Caliper Buying Guide
Skinfold calipers are used in the measurement of skinfold thickness and the estimation of total body fat. There are many types of skinfold calipers on the market, which vary greatly in price, quality, accuracy, reliability, ease of use and jaw pressures and surface areas. A few of the more common calipers are described below. These and other skinfold calipers are available in the Fitness Testing Store. It is also important to ensure the calipers have the correct calibration.
Harpenden Caliper
The gold standard caliper for skinfold measurement is the Harpenden caliper. This caliper is used as the criterion instrument by The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). They will measure accurately up to to skinfold thickness of approximately 50 mm. The resolution is 0.2 mm units, though it may be accurately read from the scale to the nearest 0.1 mm. They are a very well made sturdy instrument, and quite expensive. If it is to be used for the testing of elite athletes, such a quality and accurate instrument would be recommended.
Slim Guide Caliper
Studies using the Slim Guide Caliper has been shown it to be highly reliable, have the same jaw pressure as the Harpenden, and produce almost identical readings. They are calibrated up to a greater jaw than the Harpenden - 80 mm compared to 50 mm - which means they are suitable for larger non-athletic populations where this may be required. However, the Slim Guide has a lower resolution, as only can be read to the nearest 0.5 mm. The slim guide is a cheap alternative to the Harpenden, and as long as it is not required for elite athletes, would be recommended.
Other Calipers
Common brands of other popular calipers include Lange, Skyndex and Lafayette.
Related Pages
- Skinfold Caliper Store
- Caliper Calibration
- Description of standard skinfold sites
- Skinfold measurement procedure
- About body composition tests
- Anthropometry
