Final answer:
The weight of skeletal muscle can be estimated using skinfold calipers, underwater weighing, or DEXA, with each having varying levels of accuracy and complexity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weight of skeletal muscle in a human body can be determined using various methods, each with its own degree of accuracy and technical requirements. Three common methods used for this purpose include skinfold calipers, underwater weighing, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Using skinfold calipers is a simple and cost-effective method for measuring fat mass, which can then be used to estimate lean mass including muscle. This method involves measuring the skinfold thickness at multiple body sites and comparing them with standards to assess body fat levels. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, is a more advanced and accurate technique that can measure bone density and separate the fat content from the lean muscle mass by using two low-dose X-ray beams that calculate the body composition based on the absorption of these beams.
Underwater weighing, a more complex method, compares weights taken outside and while submerged in water, relying on the principle that muscle and bone have a higher density than water, to estimate the lean mass. None of these methods involve consulting endocrinologists for measurements or subtracting the weight of bones, skin, and organs from lean body mass, as the latter is not a standard method for measuring muscle weight.