This document defines tests and measurements in sports, and describes procedures for several common anthropometric measurements. It defines tests as tools used to measure characteristics, and measurements as the collection of numeric data. Key anthropometric measurements discussed include height, weight, arm length, leg length, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and skin folds. Body types are also categorized based on levels of endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy. Detailed procedures are provided for accurately conducting several common skin fold measurements.

2. CHAPTER 7
TEST AND MEASUREMENT
IN
SPORTS

3. TEST AND MEASUREMENT IN SPORTS
Contents
7.1 Define Test & Measurement
7.2 Importance of Test & Measurement in Sports
7.3 Calculation of BMI & Waist – Hip Ratio
7.4 Somato Types (Endomorphy, Mesomorphy &
Ectomorphy )
7.5 Procedures of Anthropromatric Measurement –
Height, Weight, Arm & Leg Length and Skin Fold

4. 7.1 Define Test & Measurement
Test :
 Test may be called as tool, a question, set of
question, an examination which is used to measure
a particular characteristic of an individual or a
group of individuals.
 Test is the form of questioning or measuring tool
used to access the status of one’s skill, knowledge,
attitude and fitness
Test: An instrument or activity used to accumulate
data on a person’s ability to perform a specified
task.

5. 7.1 Define Test & Measurement
Measurement and Evaluation in Your Daily Routine
• Alarm clock
• Gasoline gauge
• Speedometer
• Meeting new people
• Opinion of this class
Current Trends
• Public health initiatives
• Promotion of physical activity
• Problems with obesity
• Evaluation standards for school programs

6. 7.1 Define Test & Measurement
Measurement :
Measurement – process of collecting data on
attribute of interest.
It is the collection of information / data in
numeric form.
It is the record of performance or the
information which is required to make
judgment.
Measurement is an act or process that involves
the assignment of numerical values to whatever
is being tested. So it involves the quantity of
something.

7. 7.1 Define Test & Measurement
Measurement :
 Measurement is a specific score obtained
through an expert evaluation.
 Measurement is a process through which our
level of performance, fitness level, ability,
knowledge, personality, traits & skills are
measured with the help of various standard test.
 Recording of measurement has two parts :
1. A number indicating the magnitude
2. A unit assigned by experts

8. 7.1 Define Test & Measurement
Measurement :
 Measurement should be “PROVABLE”
P = Precise
R = Reliable
O = Objective
V = Valid
A = Accurate
B = Bound
L = Lead
E = Expertise

9. 7.2 Importance of Test &
Measurement
1. For getting knowledge about the progess
2. For preparation of effective planning
3. For knowing the abilities & capacities
4. For discovering the needs of participants
5. For giving motivation
6. For classification of sports person
7. For knowing the achievements in future
8. For research & experimentation

10. 7.2 Importance of Test & Measurement in Sports
1. Selection of Athlete :
On the basis of skill testing
Evaluation of measurements
2. Individual Game Classification of athletes :
Classification based on gender, age, body
weight, height, interest and physical fitness
3. To study the Development of Athlete :
Development of athlete in respect to their
neuro – muscular, social, interpretive,
emotional development etc.

11. 7.2 Importance of Test & Measurement in Sports
4. Individually Focused Training Programme :
Based on individual’s weakness & strength
5. Motivation of an Athlete :
Measurements & evaluation process creates
interest in the training
4. To predict in advance the performance potentials :
Through Measurements & evaluation procedure
the future performance can be predicted
7. To prepare Norms & Standards :
All types of standards involve testing &
measurements as an essential tool . Norms
are set by testing large no. of individuals of
an area.

12. 7.2 Importance of Test & Measurement in Sports
8. To Measure current Fitness Status :
Record of past & present health status
9. To Conduct Research :
Mandatory part to conduct research in the field of
physical education, sports & health promotion
10. To Achieve Objectives & Goals :
Coaching & training is done with keeping a fixed
target in a given time

13. 7.3 Calculation of BMI & Waist Hip Ratio
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
 Also Known as Quetelet Index
 Statistical measurement to compare an
individuals weight & height
 Most widely used tool to identify weight
problem
 Easy to measure & evaluate
 Helps to know an individuals health status

14. 7.3 Calculation of BMI & Waist Hip Ratio
• Calculation of BMI :
BMI = Body Weight
Height x Height
Body weight is in Kg. Height is in m.
Metric Unit of BMI is kg/m²
CATEGORY BMI
Underweight < 18.5
Normal 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight 25 to 29.9
Obesity Class I 30 to 34.9
Obesity Class II 35 to 39.9
Obesity Class III > 40

15. 7.3 Calculation of BMI & Waist Hip Ratio
• Precautions during Measurements :
 Body weight should be taken on reliable
weighing machine
 Heavy clothes should not be worn while taking
wt.
 For measuring ht. person should be bare footed
& body in straight position

16. 7.3 Calculation of BMI & Waist Hip Ratio
• Waist - Hip Ratio:

17. 7.3 Calculation of BMI & Waist Hip Ratio
• Waist - Hip Ratio:
• Measurement of waist circumference ÷ Hip circumference
• Used as a risk factor assessment tool for heart disease,
hypertension & type 2 diabetes

18. 7.4 Somato types or Body types
• Somato type is the word used by the famous psychologist
William Sheldon to describe a body-type using his method
of classifying the human physique.
• William Sheldon (1898-1977) was an
American psychologist who devoted his life to observing
the variety of human bodies and temperaments.
• Somato types refer to the underlying physique and are
not changed by overeating or training.
• In the 1940s, Sheldon developed a theory that there are
three basic body types, or somato types.

19. 7.4 Somatotypes or Bodytypes
• He settled on three extreme types(based on the three
tissue layers): Endoderm, Mesoderm, and Ectoderm .
• Fat/Round
• Muscular/Square
• Thin/Linear
• Each associated with personality characteristics,
representing a correlation between physique and
temperament
• This schema was illustrated as a triangle of extremes with a
coming together of the extremes into a balanced center.

20. 7.4 Endomorphy, Mesomorphy & Ectomorphy

21. 7.4 Endomorphy, Mesomorphy & Ectomorp

22. Endomorphy, Mesomorphy & Ectomorp

23. Endomorphy, Mesomorphy & Ectomorphy
• Endomorphy :
Focused on the digestive system, (endoderm); has the tendency
toward plumpness, tolerant, love of comfort, extrovert.
Endomorphic Body Type:
• soft and round shaped body
• underdeveloped muscles
• over-developed digestive system
Associated personality traits:
• love of food
• evenness of emotions
• good humored and relaxed
• need for affection

24. Endomorphy, Mesomorphy & Ectomorphy
• Mesomorphy :
Focused on musculature and the circulatory system (mesoderm),
has the tendency towards muscularity, energetic, active, aggressive,
risk taker .
Mesomorphic Body Type:
• hard, muscular body
• overly mature appearance
• rectangular shaped
• upright posture
Associated personality traits:
• adventurous and courageous
• indifference to what others think or want
• zest for physical activity and competitive

25. Endomorphy, Mesomorphy & Ectomorphy
• Ectomorphy :
Focused on the nervous system and the brain (ectoderm) - the
tendency towards artistic, sensitive, apprehensive, introvert.
Ectomorphic Body Type:
• Thin and flat chest
• young appearance
• Tall and lightly muscled
• stoop-shouldered
Associated personality traits:
• self-conscious
• socially anxious
• mentally intense
• emotionally restrained

26. Measuring Somatotype
• Sheldon wanted to produce a useful scientific tool for
measuring these types. Therefore, a numeric value needed
to be applied to each of the components. He chose a scale
of seven degrees.
7. Very High
6. High
5. Moderately High
4. Average
3. Moderately Low
2. Low
1. Very low

27. Measuring Somatotype
• The final form for expressing a somatotype, numerically is
with three numbers, where the left number represents the
degree of endomorphy, the middle number indicates the
degree of mesomorphy, and the final or right number
represents the degree of ectomorphy.
Endomorphy 711
Mesomorphy 171
Ectomorphy 117

28. Measuring Somatotype
–An extreme endomorph is represented as a 7-1-1.
–An extreme mesomorph is represented as 1-7-1.
–An extreme ectomorph is represented as 1-1-7.
Extreme
Endomorphy 711
Extreme
Mesomorphy 171
Extreme
Ectomorphy 117

29. Measuring Somatotype
• A 4-4-4 would be a balanced somatotype with each of the
three components being equally represented.

30. 7.5 Procedures of Anthropometric Measurement –
Height, Weight, Arm & Leg Length and Skin Fold
• Anthropometry : Anthropos mean man, and metron
means measure, refers to the measurement of the human
individual. The study of anthropometry is the study of
human body measurements to assist in understanding
human physical variations.
• Data collected enables to know the physical growth &
development, health problems such as over-wt. or under-
wt., comparison of ht. etc..
• Measurement of Height
• Measurement of Weight
• Measurement of Arm Length
• Measurement of Leg Length
• Measurement of Skin Fold

31. Anthropometric Measurement – Height
• Procedure of Measurement of Height :
• Measured by stadiometer
• Floor should be hard
• One should stand with back to the ht.rule
• One should remove shoes, socks and
jacket or heavy clothes if any
• Arms at side, knees & back straight
• Head board should be horizontal to
the ht. rule

32. Anthropometric Measurement – Weight
• Procedure of Measurement of Weight :
• Weighing machine should be placed on hard & horizontal
surface
• One should remove heavy clothes & shoes before taking
the wt.
• One should stand in centre of the platform & balanced
• Check the balance of machine & pointer should be at zero
• Adjust the pointers perfectly

33. Anthropometric Measurement – Arm Length
• Procedure of Measurement of Arm Length
• Measured by flexible steel tape
• The subject stands with the arms hanging loosely by the
side of the body, fingers outstretched. A measurement is
made from the tip of acromion process,( bony tip of
shoulder bone: scapula) and extended to the tip of
olecranon process (bony part of outer elbow).

34. Anthropometric Measurement – Upper Leg Length
• Procedure of Measurement of Leg Length
• Measured by flexible steel tape from bottom outside of the centre of
foot to the upper edge of greater trochanter (anatomical part of the
femur connecting to the hip bone. The trochanters are points at
which hip and thigh muscles attach. The greater trochanter gives
attachment to a number of muscles)

35. Anthropometric Measurement – Upper Leg Length
• Procedure of Measurement of Upper Leg Length
• The subject is made to sit on the box with the right knee
bent at 90⁰ angle, sitting up straight. Place zero at the
inguinal crease (crease between the torso and the thigh
) just below the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) the
anterior superior iliac spine is located on the front of the
hip on either side. Lift the thigh slightly of the box and
extend the tape to the proximal border of patella.

36. Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Procedure of Measurement of Skin Fold
• Skinfold measures for body composition and body fat assessment.
• The skinfold estimation methods are based on a skinfold
test, also known as a pinch test, whereby a pinch of skin is
precisely measured by calipers at several standardized
points on the body to determine the subcutaneous fat
layer thickness.( The subcutaneous tissue is the innermost
layer of skin. It is primarily made up of fat that helps
insulate your body.)

37. Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Procedure of Measurement of Skin Fold
• Skin measurement is difficult as compressibility of skin &
Adipose tissue (specialized connective tissue that functions
as the major storage for fat) differs with age, hydration &
size etc.
• Skinfold measurements should not be taken when the skin
is wet or after exercise
• Skin should be grasp firmly with thumb & index finger of
left arm & pull away from the body. Skinfold should be
parallel
• Measurement should be taken on the
right side of the body.

38. Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Measurement of Skin Fold
• Procedure: Estimation of body fat by skinfold thickness
measurement. Measurement can use from 3 to 9 different
standard anatomical sites around the body. The tester
pinches the skin at the appropriate site to raise a double
layer of skin and the underlying adipose tissue, but not the
muscle. The calipers are then applied 1 cm below and at
right angles to the pinch, and a reading in millimeters (mm)
taken two seconds later.
• Equipment: skinfold calipers.

39. Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Procedure of Measurement of Skin Fold
• The sites: there are many common sites at which the
skinfold pinch can be taken.
• The five main skinfold sites are :
»Triceps
»Subscapula
»Suprailiac
»Abdomen
»Thigh
For the accurate anthropometric measurements, the marking
should be done .

40. Procedures of Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Triceps Skinfold
• Vertical fold
• Located on the posterior midline of the upper arm
• Measure halfway between the acromion (bony point of the
shoulder) and olecranon processes (bony point of the elbow)
• Arm held freely to the side of the body

41. Procedures of Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Subscapula Skinfold
• Diagonal fold
• Located 1 to 2 cm below the inferior angle of the scapula
(the bottom of the shoulder blade)

42. Procedures of Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Suprailiac Skinfold
• Diagonal fold
• Located 1 cm above the anterior superior iliac crest (top of
the hip bone)
• Locating this landmark may require you to ‘poke’ firmly
through thick subcutaneous layers of fat to find the bone
underneath.

43. Procedures of Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Abdomen
• Vertical (modern technique)
• 2 cm or 1" to the right side of the umbilicus
• Horizontal fold (traditional)
• 2 cm to the right side of the umbilicus

44. Procedures of Anthropometric Measurement – Skin Fold
• Thigh
• Vertical fold
• Anterior midline of the thigh
• Midway between the proximal border of the patella (upper
knee) and the inguinal crease (hip)