ISAK Training
What is ISAK?
ISAK stands for the “International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry” and is an organisation of individuals whose scientific and professional endeavor is related to Kinanthropometry, the quantitative interface between human structure and function. ISAK was founded at a Meeting on the 20th of July 1986, in Glasgow.
Kinanthropometry is a scientific specialisation dealing with the measurement of people and has application to movement and those factors which influence movement, including:
- Components of body build
- Body measurements
- Proportions
- Composition
- Shape and maturation
- Motor abilities and cardiorespiratory capacities
- Physical activity including recreational activity as well as highly specialised sports performance
The ISAK Courses
The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) has developed international standards for anthropometric assessment and an international anthropometry accreditation scheme (IAAS). This was in response to requests from many anthropometrists around the world to:
- Standardise techniques and applications
- Increase the competencies of individuals involved in kinanthropometry.
- Establish a process whereby professionals within the field and the public consumer can recognise professional competence at different levels.
ISAK therefore supports the running of courses that teach standardised techniques and theory of application to individuals who require an accredited level of competence in anthropometric assessment.
There are 4 levels of ISAK accreditation: -
Level 1: - designed for the majority of ISAK-accredited anthropometrists who have little on-going requirement for more than the measurement of height, weight and skinfolds.
Level 2: - designed for those anthropometrists who wish to offer their subjects a more-comprehensive range of measurements, and have already achieved Level 1 accreditation.
Level 3: - designed only for those anthropometrists who wish to engage in the training and accreditation of Levels 1 and 2 anthropometrists, and have already achieved Level 2 accreditation. Level 2 is ideal for those who wish to expand their knowledge in measurement techniques. There are a variety of uses which include performance monitoring, talent ID, growth and maturation.
Level 4: - is the most senior level. It recognises many years of experience in taking ISAK-approved measurements, a high level of theoretical knowledge, involvement in the teaching/examining of ISAK workshops or courses, involvement in large anthropometric projects and a significant publication record in anthropometry.