Body Composition

Body Composition Defined & Application

• The physiological make-up of an individual in terms of the distribution of lean body mass (bone, muscle, organs & connective tissue) and fat mass (stored adipose tissue).
• On average, men have less body fat (15%) then women (25%).
• Elite performer average, <10% male & <15%

Test Methods

• BMI: measure of weight in relation to height (kg / m2). +simple meadure of fatness within health professionals. -unsuitable for pregnant, young, elderly & athletes. NB...atheletes heavier muscles push up BMI and over normal range to 'obese'

Body mass index (BMI) 

To calculate BMI, a person's weight in kilograms is divided by his/her height (in metres) squared.

<19 : underweight

19-25 : Normal

26-30 : Overweight

30-40 : Obese

>40 : Morbidly obese

• SKINFOLD MEASURES: % body fat estimated by the skinfold calliper measure, which measures subcutaneous fat (fat below  skin) at specific parts of the body. The total of these measurements is compared to a 'norms' table. +widely used, good estimate. -need training to ensure accuracy.
• BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE: involves passing a small electrical current through the body (through fluid within muscle but experiences resistance…