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Kelley Altom MS.Ed.

@altomkelley

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ISAK Level 4, Criterion Anthropometrist -
IHSA Wrestling Minimum Wrestling Weight Certification Director

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With the 2026 NFL Combine underway, I’d like to share a small but meaningful piece of my history with it.

In 2014, I was introduced to a body composition metric I had never encountered before. This metric, known as the Muscle-to-Bone Ratio (MBR), immediately captured my interest.

To learn more, I traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I earned my ISAK Level 3 accreditation and studied under world-renowned anthropometrist @FrancisHolway. He introduced me to an advanced anthropometric assessment system that segments the body into five components: muscle, fat, bone, skin, and residual mass.

Through years of research with elite athletes, Francis discovered a strong relationship between skeletal size and the maximum muscle mass a person can develop. More importantly, he found that each sport—and even specific positions—has an optimal MBR range for peak performance.

This insight carries major implications: more muscle doesn’t always mean better performance. In fact, teams are now realizing that when an athlete’s MBR exceeds the ideal range for their position, the risk of soft tissue injuries increases.

While this system has been widely used in professional sports outside the U.S. for nearly two decades (for reasons I’ll discuss another time), one major U.S. sport has embraced it—football.

In 2022, I was invited to the NFL Combine to apply this assessment to 300+ draft prospects, with findings shared across all NFL teams. The results gave teams a new way to assess player readiness, optimize performance, and reduce injury risk—so much so that the system has now been adopted for the fifth consecutive year.

What makes this system unique is that only an ISAK Level 2 (or higher) Anthropometrist can perform the 25 precise measurements required to obtain MBR. Mastering this process requires detail-oriented practitioners and organizations willing to invest in proper training.

I had been teaching ISAK training courses in the U.S. long before the 2022 NFL Combine, but that weekend was a defining moment—the spark that helped spread the word on this powerful system and ISAK.

Good luck to all the NFL draft prospects at the combine this weekend! by @altomkelley

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7 months ago

I recently wrapped up a three-week tour across Illinois, training and certifying Athletic Trainers on best-practice protocols for determining scholastic wrestlers’ minimum wrestling weights.

Twenty + years ago, I was contracted by the Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) to design and launch one of the first statewide High School Wrestling Weight Certification Programs in the U.S.

Illinois remains the second-largest wrestling state in the country, with over 500 member schools and nearly 14,000 wrestlers. Each season, I travel to key locations across the state to train and certify healthcare professionals in:

1. Hydration assessment (urine specific gravity)
2. Body weight measurement
3. Body composition analysis (3-site skinfold technique)

Each course runs for about three hours and includes theory, equipment calibration, and hands-on practical sessions. We work with wrestlers of all shapes and sizes, giving assessors the chance to practice, compare results, and refine their accuracy within the required error margins.

I teach both large and small groups, adapting my methods to fit the environment. For large classes like the one in this post, we needed a big enough stage for everyone to view the slide deck clearly. During the landmarking section, students gathered close while I demonstrated techniques on both a skeleton model and a volunteer wrestler. Afterward, participants practiced in groups while I moved among them to observe and fine-tune their technique.

As instructors, we’re most effective when we can adapt, delivering content in ways that fit different needs, experience levels, and learning styles.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sport Anthropometry certification courses, send me a DM or visit our website at www.bodyquantification.com

#WrestlingMinimumWeightProgram#IHSA #IHSAWrestling #ScholasticWrestling #BodyFat #WrestlingWeightCertification #Skinfolds #UrineSpecificGravity#ISAK#BodyQuantification by @altomkelley

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a year ago

Want to learn how elite sport organizations evaluate athlete physique, body composition, and physical potential?

Registration is now open for our upcoming ISAK Level 1 & 2 Certification Courses this fall:

• Minneapolis | September 25–27
• Chicago | October 25–27

These courses offer a unique opportunity to learn standardized anthropometry from leaders in body composition, sports performance, and research:

Kelley Robert Altom, M.S.Ed., ISAK Level 4
ISAK Criterion Anthropometrist, developer of the Illinois Wrestling Minimum Weight Certification Program, and specialist in anthropometric assessment and training.

Dr. Jordan Moon, PhD, CSCS, ACSM-EP-C, ISAK Level 3
Internationally recognized body composition and sports nutrition researcher with more than 140 peer-reviewed research articles and abstracts.

Shawn Hueglin, PhD, RD, CSSD, ISAK Level 3
Senior Sports Dietitian with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee with extensive experience working with elite and Olympic athletes.

We are also developing the next phase of research examining whether the skinfold methods currently used in the U.S. wrestling minimum weight certification program adequately represent body fat distribution in female wrestlers.

One of the biggest challenges in large-scale anthropometric research is finding enough properly trained assessors using the same standardized protocol.

Participants who complete an ISAK Level 1 or Level 2 course may have an opportunity to assist with future data collection as this research expands.

Your certification could become more than a credential. It could allow you to contribute to research that may help shape the future of body composition assessment and minimum weight certification for female wrestlers.

Train. Standardize. Measure. Contribute.

#BodyQuantification #ISAK #Anthropometry #FemaleWrestling #WomensWrestling #BodyComposition #SportsNutrition #Kinanthropometry by @altomkelley

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a month ago

New York turned into one of those experiences that reminds me why I love what I do.

What began with an ISAK Level 2 candidate traveling from Colombia for advanced training became an incredible few days of learning, collaboration, and applied practice.

Thanks to a former student and colleague who now works as a physical therapist with the New York Red Bulls Academy, we had the opportunity to visit their incredible new 80-acre training facility and put our skills to work assessing a diverse group of elite athletes.

The experience didn't end with data collection. The following day, we sat down together to review the results, discuss what we observed, and explore practical recommendations.

And then the timing got even better.
My friend and colleague Dr. Francesco Campa, visiting New York from Italy, joined us for the discussion.

Francesco brought the ultrasound system used in his most recent research and gave us a hands-on demonstration. The conversations around anthropometry, ultrasound, body composition, athlete assessment, and the translation of research into practice were outstanding.

This is what education should look like to me: learn the methods, apply them in the field, interrogate the results, and bring different perspectives to the table.

Great people. Elite sport. Science. Education. Collaboration. And, because it was New York, some pretty exceptional food along the way.
A memorable few days. 🇺🇸🇨🇴🇮🇹

#BodyQuantification# ISAK#Kinanthropometry #BodyComposition #SportsScienceNewYork by @altomkelley

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2 months ago

One of the most rewarding parts of research is seeing it move beyond publication and into practice.

Recently, the wrestling governing bodies announced an increase in the minimum body fat percentage used for female wrestlers from 12% to 19%.

This change is significant because the original 12% standard did not adequately reflect the physiological realities of female athletes.

Last year, our research examined this issue and recommended a minimum value of 19% body fat for female wrestlers. Our goal was simple: ensure that weight certification standards are evidence-based, support athlete health, and reflect the unique physiological characteristics of female competitors.

For more than two decades, I have been involved in wrestling weight certification programs and athlete assessment. It is gratifying to see the conversation continue to evolve as new evidence becomes available.

Good science doesn't exist to sit on a shelf. It should help improve the decisions we make and the policies that affect athletes every day.

This is a positive step forward for female wrestling and athlete welfare.

#GirlsWrestling#BodyQuantification#WeightCertification#BodyComposition#BodyStructurePhysiqueAssessmentWrestleLikeAGirl by @altomkelley

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3 months ago

What an incredible experience celebrating ISAK’s 40th anniversary at the XIX World Conference on Kinanthropometry in Medellín, Colombia.

One of the most meaningful parts of the week was completing the practical and theory requirements for my ISAK Level 4 reaccreditation. This included demonstrating repeated anthropometric measurements within strict technical error of measurement limits and completing a timed 80-question theory exam. I am proud to have met those standards and look forward to completing my 20 post-course assessments.

The three days of presentations showcased the latest research and advances in kinanthropometry and provided the opportunity to connect with researchers, instructors, and anthropometrists from around the world.

I am especially grateful to ISAK President Dr. Francisco Esparza-Ros and Secretary-General Dr. Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal for meeting with Dr. Jordan Moon and me to discuss the future growth of ISAK in the United States. Thank you also to @claudiamaceroni for always supporting our efforts and helping communicate our ideas to the ISAK Executive Council.

Thank you to Universidad CES, @Dabonilla33, and the entire organizing team for an exceptionally well-run conference.

Medellín was beautiful, the food was incredible, and our trip to Guatapé was breathtaking. I returned home grateful, inspired, and even more committed to advancing kinanthropometry and growing ISAK in the United States.

Congratulations to ISAK on 40 years. I am already looking forward to the next World Conference in 2028.

#BodyQuantification #ISAK2026 #ISAK40Years #Kinanthropometry #Anthropometry BodyComposition SportsScience Medellín Colombia ISAKUSA by @altomkelley

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2 months ago

Another incredible ISAK Level 1 & Level 2 course is in the books!

This class was especially memorable because of the diverse group of professionals who came together to learn and share ideas. We had sport dietitians, athletic trainer, exercise physiologist/, strength & conditioning coach, practitioners from the NBA, Big Ten and AAC college football programs, private practice clinicians, UW Health Hospital, and a master's student—all bringing unique experiences and perspectives to the classroom.

Dr. Moon and I had the pleasure of teaching alongside ISAK Level 3 Instructor Esteban Rivarola (@nutricionista_esteban) from Paraguay, who was completing his Level 3 reaccreditation. Having Esteban with us added another level of expertise, and the conversations throughout the course were outstanding. Everyone was eager to ask questions, challenge ideas, share their own experiences, and learn from one another. Those discussions are what make courses like this so valuable.

For the practical sessions, we brought in volunteer models with a variety of physiques and anthropometric characteristics, including a former collegiate basketball player, a track and field distance runner, a personal trainer, a high school running back, and a former amateur bodybuilder who recently lost 25 pounds. This gave students valuable hands-on experience applying ISAK techniques across individuals with very different characteristics.

The quality of the discussions, collaboration, and enthusiasm throughout the weekend reminded me why I enjoy teaching these courses so much. A sincere thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to such a fun and engaging learning environment. I can't wait to see how everyone applies these skills in their own practice.

#BodyQuantification#ISAK #Anthropometry #SportsScience #SportsNutrition ExercisePhysiology AthleticTraining StrengthAndConditioning BodyComposition SportsPerformance ProfessionalDevelopmentKinanthropometry by @altomkelley

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3 months ago

Last week we had the opportunity to deliver a private ISAK Anthropometry Certification Course for the University of Oregon.

What impressed me most wasn't the facility or the resources. It was the way Oregon approached staff development.

Rather than limiting participation to a single sport or department, they brought together performance professionals from across the entire athletic department, representing both men's and women's sports. Strength and conditioning coaches, sport dietitians, sport scientists, and performance staff all learned together in the same room.

They also included members of their data science team, creating a unique environment where the people collecting the data, managing the data, and applying the data could develop a common language and shared understanding.

In my opinion, this is the model large athletic departments should be striving toward.

The value of anthropometry is not simply collecting measurements. The value comes from understanding how to organize, analyze, interpret, and communicate the information so it can be used to support athlete development and performance decisions across an entire department.

For years, many organizations have relied heavily on body composition tools such as DEXA. While these tools certainly have their place, more programs are beginning to recognize that an athlete's physique is far more complex than a single body composition report.

In our training, we focus on understanding the athlete as a multidimensional system in which structure, proportions, somatotype, musculature, and body composition interact to influence performance. These characteristics often provide sport-specific insights that traditional body composition assessments alone cannot.

The organizations that are investing in staff education today are positioning themselves to ask better questions, collect better data, and make better decisions tomorrow.

A sincere thank you to the University of Oregon athletic department for their commitment to continued learning and collaboration. It was a pleasure working with such an engaged and forward-thinking group of professionals. by @altomkelley

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4 months ago

Last weekend’s ISAK training course at John Carroll University was one of the most unique and rewarding learning experiences we’ve had.

What made it especially impactful was the diversity of experience in the room. Practitioners from the NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, college football, university faculty, and graduate students learned side by side, bringing valuable perspectives from every level of sport and performance.

The course was hosted in the new Exercise Science Laboratory, directed by one of my former students and ISAK Level 2 Anthropometrist, Dr. Jake Beiting. The facility provided an exceptional environment for applied learning and exposed participants to body composition technologies beyond anthropometry, including BodPod, multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance, and hydrostatic weighing.

A particular highlight was demonstrating both traditional head-under-water hydrostatic weighing and newer head-above-water techniques using the university’s new state-of-the-art hydrostatic weighing tank.

We were also fortunate to welcome the Saint Ignatius High School football team—11-time OHSAA state champions and four-time national champions, which gave participants the opportunity to apply their anthropometric assessment skills in a meaningful real-world sport setting.

My sincere thanks to Dr. Jake Beiting, John Carroll University, the Saint Ignatius coaching staff and players, and everyone who contributed to such an outstanding weekend of learning, collaboration, and professional development.

#ISAK#Kinanthropometry#Anthropometry#BodyQuantification#BodyComposition#PhysiqueAssessment#JCU#ISAKGlobal by @altomkelley

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4 months ago

Last week in Kansas City was a great example of what thoughtful, high-performance environments look like in practice.

Working with the Chiefs, what stood out most was not just what they do, but how they think. The questions being asked are different, more intentional, and grounded in a genuine desire to use the right tools for their athletes rather than simply following industry trends.

There is a clear understanding that body composition alone provides an incomplete picture. Kinanthropometry offers a more comprehensive framework by examining how structure, mass, and proportions interact within the function of each athlete.

We began with ISAK training for their staff, followed by full player assessments. This model is particularly effective in team sport settings with large rosters, as it allows staff to not only learn the methodology, but also observe how large-scale assessments are organized and executed efficiently.

Equally important was the focus on data application; cleaning, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating results. The way data is presented must be tailored to the audience, whether that’s performance staff or the athletes themselves.

A sincere thank you to the dietetics graduate students from the University of Kansas Medical Center who volunteered to assist with recording. Their support significantly improved efficiency and allowed for a smoother assessment process.

Experiences like this reinforce that effective practice is not about using more tools, it’s about using the right ones, in the right way.

#bodyquantification#physiqueassessment#NFL#ISAK#ISAK.Global#Anthropometry#Kinanthropometry# by @altomkelley

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5 months ago

This past weekend in Arizona was one for the books.

We had the privilege of teaching an ISAK certification course alongside an incredible group of professionals, including members of performance staffs from the NFL, Big Ten football, USA Ski & Snowboard, USA Volleyball, and the USA Para Hockey National Team. The level of experience in the room, and the stories shared throughout the course, made for an unforgettable learning environment.

A huge thank you to American Sports Centers – Avondale for hosting us. As one of Arizona’s largest indoor multi-sport facilities, their space is nothing short of impressive, featuring six state-of-the-art volleyball courts, four basketball courts, two indoor soccer fields, and a versatile 4,000-square-foot multi-purpose room. It was the perfect setting for hands-on education.

We’re also grateful to Jimmy Scroggins @justkeeppushingjkp and JKP Basketball Academy Prep for sending some of their top basketball prospects. Our students gained invaluable experience practicing their anthropometric assessment skills with high-level athletes.

Adding to the experience, the USA Gymnastics State Championships were taking place just outside our classroom, showcasing an incredible range of body types competing at a high level. It was a real-time reminder of the diversity and specificity of human performance.

Thank you to everyone who made this course such a success.

#bodyquantification#ISAK#ISAKtraining#NFL#BigTenFootballUSAski&snowboardUSAvolleyballUSAParaHockeyarizonasportscentersphysiqueassessment by @altomkelley

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6 months ago

In 2018, I had the opportunity to teach an ISAK course at the U.S. Soccer Federation when it was still located in Chicago. I still have a photo of myself walking into the Federation and another from the course with their professional staff during that time.

I was fortunate to return and teach there again in 2024.

U.S. Soccer has a meaningful history in Chicago. The Federation moved its headquarters there in 1991, and U.S. Soccer House became part of an important era in the growth of the sport in this country before the transition toward its new headquarters and National Training Center in Georgia.

For me, these pictures are a reminder of the people behind the scenes: the coaches, sport scientists, performance staff, medical staff, and professionals who help support athletes at the highest level.

Even though the U.S. team lost yesterday in the World Cup, we are incredibly proud of them. The work, sacrifice, preparation, and pressure that comes with representing your country are hard to fully appreciate from the outside.

Wins and losses are part of sport. Pride comes from the work, the preparation, and the people willing to put themselves on the line. Today, we are proud of all of them.

#USSoccer #WorldCup #BodyQuantification#ISAK #SportsScience Anthropometry Kinanthropometry SportsPerformance AthleteMonitoring BodyComposition SoccerPerformancePhysiqueAssessmentStructuralProfile by @altomkelley

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3 months ago