body composition skinfold assessment

Skinfold assessments can be undertaken more frequently than methods such as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry  and provide greater information than measures such as bioelectrical impedance (electronic scales). We recommend a minimum of six weeks between measures and no more than 46 measures per year.

Results from your skinfold assessment can be used to track changes in your body composition over time from nutrition and exercise intervention (e.g., body mass gain is from increased muscle mass).

You will be asked to book 2x 30 min appointments at least six weeks apart.

You will be required to wear loose sports clothing (e.g., running shorts, training top, vest, etc.) to enable easy access to your shoulder, back, abdomen, arm and leg regions). Your stature, body mass and girths will be measured. Key landmarks on your body will also be marked up using a skin pen to allow precise measures of your skinfolds. A skinfold measure is undertaken by lifting a fold of skin and the fat underneath at specific sites. You will feel slight pressure from the skinfold callipers as your measure is taken. A sliding calliper is used to measure your three bone breadths.

It is recommended that your appointments are booked at similar times during the day, you are normally hydrated with water and have not undertaken heavy exercise, like a big run or a heavy workout prior to the assessment. Please also avoid wearing body cream/lotion during the assessment as it can complicate the landmarking and measuring procedure.

Within the 30 minutes you will be provided with a report and a verbal explanation of your results. It is important that body composition measures are not interpreted in isolation. These should be evaluated alongside health and performance measures, and we strongly recommended that you book a nutrition consultation to help you further interpret and achieve your body composition goals.

• Anyone training for competitive sport
• High Performance Athletes - results provide the information needed to adjust training and dietary needs
• Those trying to achieve healthy levels of body fat - people following a diet and exercise programme where results will provide the information required to tailor their programme to ensure healthy levels of body fat, avoid muscle wastage, remain healthy and avoid injury
• Muscle weakness or injury - results will provide information to aid recovery

Please do not book a skinfold assessment if you are under 18 years of age, have concerns about your eating behaviours or suffer from disordered eating/an eating disorder and/or challenged by body acceptance (e.g., physique/body image anxieties).

• 2x Skinfold assessments: £130
• 2x Skinfold assessments and Diet MOT (SENR Practitioner) £202
• 2x Skinfold assessments and Full Dietary Analysis (SENR Practitioner) includes follow up consultation £405