Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of inexperienced trained and inexperienced untrained testers in the use of skinfold calipers. The subjects consisted of five testers. One tester was experienced, having performed skinfold assessments for 17 years. Two testers were inexperienced with a skinfold caliper but were trained by the experienced tester in one half-hour session, whereas the remaining two testers were inexperienced and untrained, having read instructions only. Testers took skinfold measurements at three sites on 57 volunteers. Twenty-eight volunteers were tested twice to provide intratester reliability estimates. Intraclass correlations were used to evaluate intratester reliability of all testers, as well as intertester reliability between the trained testers and untrained testers to the experienced tester at each measurement site. Intratester reliability was greater with the experienced and trained testers than with the untrained testers. Intertester reliability of trained testers correlated more highly with the experienced tester (0.86–0.97) than did the untrained testers with the experienced tester (0.27–0.78). The results of this study indicate a substantial benefit of training to the clinician striving to become proficient in the use of skinfold calipers.