Fitness Testing

Arm Relaxed Girth

aim: To measure the circumference of the arm, as a measure of the underlying musculature and adipose tissue. Girth measurements combined with skinfold measurements can give a clearer picture of changes in tissue composition and distribution of muscle and fat.
equipment required: flexible metal tape measure and pen suitable for marking the skin. If a plastic or cloth tape is used, it should be checked regularly against a metal tape as they may stretch over time.
description / procedure: First mark the site to be measured. This girth measurement is usually taken on the right side of the body. The arm is relaxed and hanging by the side, and the circumference is taken at the level of the mid-point between the acromial (boney point of shoulder) and the olecranon (boney point of elbow) processes. When recording, you need to make sure the tape is not too tight or too loose, is lying flat on the skin, and is horizontal.

reliability: Factors that may affect reliability include changes to the testing personnel, constant and even tension on the tape, and correct landmarking (finding the correct anatomical site for measurement).

advantages: low costs involved in the testing procedure
comments: Clothing over the site should be removed if possible to make sure measuring tape is positioned correctly and that the correct circumference is determined.