Scholarlink

<p>We aimed to identify the variability among anthropometrists with varying experience levels and its effects on the final interpretations of body composition estimates. Twenty-five male university students participated in the study. Skinfolds of eight body regions were obtained by two anthropometrists: an expert and a novice. The expert technical error of measurements (TEM) was below the tolerated limits (&lt; 5%) for all skinfold measurements. In comparison, the novice exceeded the rater (&gt; 7.5%) for the iliac crest and abdominal skinfolds. Some TEM novice measurements were 2–4 times higher than expert. The inter-evaluator reliability was good for triceps, subscapular, and calf (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). However, the inter-evaluator reliability was moderate for iliac crest, abdominal, and thigh (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and poor for biceps (<i>p</i> = 0.07). Novice overestimated %fat in 55.12%. Conclusively, these findings demonstrate the impact of experience level on measurement accuracy, particularly for complex skinfolds such as the iliac crest and abdominal, where fat tissue distribution and site identification can be challenging. Inaccurate measurements by novice anthropometrists may lead to substantial errors in body composition estimates, affecting both clinical decisions and research outcomes. Thus, we emphasize the need for rigorous and sustained training to reduce technical errors, particularly focusing on difficult measurement sites. Institutions conducting anthropometric assessments should adopt structured certification programs and ongoing quality control strategies to ensure the validity and reliability of body composition assessments conducted by professionals at varying expertise levels.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Reliability of skinfold measurements and body fat prediction depends on the rater’s experience: a cross-sectional analysis comparing expert and novice anthropometrists

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月28日

查看全文
  • Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado,
  • Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva,
  • Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal,
  • Victor Carvalheiro Rosa,
  • Marcio Fernando Tasinafo Junior,
  • André Pereira dos Santos,
  • Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla,
  • Lisa Fernanda Mazzonetto,
  • Alcivandro Sousa de Oliveira,
  • Jorge Mota,
  • Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo

摘要

We aimed to identify the variability among anthropometrists with varying experience levels and its effects on the final interpretations of body composition estimates. Twenty-five male university students participated in the study. Skinfolds of eight body regions were obtained by two anthropometrists: an expert and a novice. The expert technical error of measurements (TEM) was below the tolerated limits (< 5%) for all skinfold measurements. In comparison, the novice exceeded the rater (> 7.5%) for the iliac crest and abdominal skinfolds. Some TEM novice measurements were 2–4 times higher than expert. The inter-evaluator reliability was good for triceps, subscapular, and calf (p < 0.001). However, the inter-evaluator reliability was moderate for iliac crest, abdominal, and thigh (p < 0.001) and poor for biceps (p = 0.07). Novice overestimated %fat in 55.12%. Conclusively, these findings demonstrate the impact of experience level on measurement accuracy, particularly for complex skinfolds such as the iliac crest and abdominal, where fat tissue distribution and site identification can be challenging. Inaccurate measurements by novice anthropometrists may lead to substantial errors in body composition estimates, affecting both clinical decisions and research outcomes. Thus, we emphasize the need for rigorous and sustained training to reduce technical errors, particularly focusing on difficult measurement sites. Institutions conducting anthropometric assessments should adopt structured certification programs and ongoing quality control strategies to ensure the validity and reliability of body composition assessments conducted by professionals at varying expertise levels.