Skinfolds
If you use calipers, the sites and the protocol matter more than the final percentage. Each site is recorded on its own so the estimate can be recomputed and, more importantly, so the sites can be compared over time directly.
Sites first, estimate second
The individual folds are the measurement. The percentage is derived from them, and a change in one site is often clearer evidence than a change in the derived number.
Consistency over accuracy
Caliper estimates have real absolute error. Taken the same way each time by the same person, they track change well — which is what you are actually asking of them.
Questions
- Which formula is used?
- A standard multi-site equation appropriate to the sites you recorded, and the sites are kept so it can be recomputed.
Try it
CalFitness is free to start. Skinfolds is in the app from the day you install it.