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The iliac crest skinfold site is one of the common locations used for the assessment of body fat in athletes. There are other sites in this region, such as the supraspinale. I have also come across another skinfold site near here, along the mid-axillary line at the level of the umbilicus (see details below). See the complete list of skinfold sites, and the general procedure for taking skinfold measurements.

Landmark Immediately above the iliac crest (top of hip bone), on the most lateral aspect (side).

Pinch The fold is directed anteriorly and downward in line with the natural fold of the skin. The right arm should be held across the body to keep it away from the measurement area.

Other Information

• This skinfold measurement sites has previously been known by many names, including iliocristale (Parizkova), suprailiac (Durin & Womersley).
• The similar suprailium site is slightly anterior (forward) to the iliac crest site, also taken above the crest of the ilium, but at the point where an imaginary line would come down from the anterior axillary border. See also the nearby site supraspinale.
• Another skinfold site near here, is to be found along the mid-axillary line at the level of the umbilicus (trunk skinfold site?).

Reference

• International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment (2001) published by The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)

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Related Pages

• All skinfold sites
• Skinfold measurement procedure
• About body composition tests
• Anthropometry
• Skinfold Results
• Videos of Anthropometric Tests including Skinfold Testing.

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