03589 - Anthropometry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has skills to express, through standardized measurement techniques, the characteristics of the human body and to interpret them in relation to the variability induced by environmental conditions, with particular reference to health status and motor, sports and ergonomic fields. In addition, the student is able, through laboratory work, detect and manage some linear dimensions.

Course contents

Planning for an anthropometric research. Objectives, sampling. Choice of the reference points and of the measurements.

Anthropometric measurement techniques, instruments and variability of the principal characters: height and sitting height, body lengths, weight, circumferences, skinfold thicknesses.

Body proportions indexes and indicators connected to health risk: definition, variability, significance, informative valence, classificatory standard.

Body composition: valuation techniques and their application, with particular regards to anthropometric method and bioelectrical impedance methods. Vector impedance analysis and its intyerpretation in nutrition field. Outlines on variability of fat mass, fat free mass and body water in relation to age, sex and sport activity

Readings/Bibliography

Norton, Olds:"Anthropometrica" UNSW Press, 2006

Lohman, Roche, Martorell- "Manuale di riferimento per la standardizzazione antropometrica" EDRA ed., 1992

Eston R. Reilly T .”Kinanthropometry and exercise physiology laboratory manual- vol 1: Anthropometry” Routledge ed., 2001

Frisancho A. R. Anthropometric standard. An interactive Nutritional reference of Body Size and Body Composition for children and adults. Ann Arbor - The University of Michigan Press, 2011

S. Toselli, F. Campa. Valutazione antropometrica e della composizione corporea. Per la salute e la performance. ATS Giacomo Catalani Editore [https://www.ibs.it/libri/editori/ats-giacomo-catalani-editore], 2021

E. Marini, S. Toselli (curator) Bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition. Applications in sports science, UNICApress, 2021

https://unicapress.unica.it/index.php/unicapress/catalog/book/978-88-3312-033-1

Slides of the lessons will be given to the students in blocks during the course

Teaching methods

Oral lectures and practice.

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this activity requires the attendance of all students at Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and the attendance at Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in the study places. Information on the dates and methods of attendance of Module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website.

This Course participates in the University's educational innovation project (integrative digital teaching - DDI)

Assessment methods

The examination aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives:

- Know the techniques of detection and significance of the main anthropometric measures

- Know the methods that lead to the definition of the indexes and body composition and their applications in nutritional field.

- Know the use of techniques and methods above mentioned for the purpose of understanding the variability within auxology, in adulthood, during aging, in sport field.

The assessment of learning occurs through an oral examination with three questions related to the topics covered in class and during practice. The evaluation of the candidate will be based on his ability to expose the acquired knowledge with a correct terminology, showing to have an organic vision of the topics and to know how to argue them critically. The correct exposition of the themes, the critical analysis of the topics and the use of an appropriate terminology will lead to excellent marks; a lower level of knowledge of the subject, a lower ability to connect the topics covered, using a correct, but not always appropriate language, will lead to discrete evaluation; minimal knowledge of the subject, formative shortcoming and/or inappropriate language will results in votes which will not exceed sufficiency.

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC, scientofic papers, anthropometric equipment

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Toselli