Abstract: Objective To investigate the triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) of patients with stroke in community. Methods 42 hemiplegics after stroke and 42 normal persons in the same community were measured by a same doctor team, including height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, waist circumference, hip circumference, and TSF. The grade of Brunnstrom and daily exercise time of the patients were investigated. Results The TSF was thicker in the non-affected side than in the affected side (P<0.05). The bilateral TSF was thinner in the patients than in the normal controls (P<0.05). In the patients, the TSF was thicker in those with function grade above Brunnstrom IV than those below (P<0.05), and in those who took part in exercise regularly than those did not (P<0.01). The body mass index was more in the patients than in the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion The TSF is thinner in the patients with stroke, which may associate with the motor function and daily exercise.

Key words: stroke, hemiplegia, skinfold thickness, exercise, motor function