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Body Composition Assessment

The Health & Fitness Lab offers three methods of body composition, which include:        

Skinfold Measurement with Calipers
*COST:   Students- FREE, Fac/Staff- FREE, Community- $5

This is the most common method of body fat analysis used in the Health & Fitness Lab, it is very accurate if done by a trained individual. Appointments are available on a walk in basis or by appointment during regular office hours.

IMPORTANT: We require clients to wear shorts and a T-shirt to allow access to the 6 sites of measurement located below. Clients should not work out beforehand or apply any lotions of any kind to ensure accuracy.

Males are measured at the following six sites on the body and females are measured at five sites (excludes site 3).

1. Back of the Arm (Triceps)
2. Along the Shoulder Blade (Scalpula)
3. Side of the Chest
4. Top of the Hip Bone (Illium)
5. Beside the Belly Button (Abdomen)
6. Front of the Leg (Thigh)     

Bio-Electrical Impedance
*COST:   Students- FREE, Fac/Staff- FREE, Community- $5

Bio-Electrical Impedance is also a valid method of testing body composition, it is non invasive and is better suited for people with higher percentages of body fat or those who would feel uncomfortable with having Skinfold measurements taken. Electrodes are attached to the clients right foot and hand. A painless current is sent through the body and returns a number that is used to calculate the body fat percentage using the clients height and weight. Appointments are available on a walk in basis or by appointment during regular business hours.

IMPORTANT: Clients should not work out beforehand or apply any lotions of any kind to ensure accuracy.

Hydrostatic Weighing
*COST:   Students- $5, Fac/Staff- $10, Community- $25

The Hydrostatic Weighing method can be the most accurate method if done correctly.  The accuracy of the test is highly dependent of the person being tested.  They must be very comfortable in water, and able to last for up to 20 seconds underwater after expiring all available air from their lungs.  The results from both the Skinfold Measurement and the Hydrostatic Weighing methods have been shown to correlate highly when the Skinfold measures are done correctly. Appointments are available by appointment only during regular business hours.

IMPORTANT: Only for clients that are extremely comfortable in water. Bring swimsuit and prepare to get wet!

NOTE:  By no means are body fat norms indicators of a level of physical fitness, we highly recommend that regardless of your body fat percentage that you lead a healthy active lifestyle which would include eating right and exercising regularly.  By leading a healthy active lifestyle you can attain a healthy body fat percentage rating, and only through a healthy diet and exercise will you maintain a healthy body.

            If you would like to learn how to best achieve your recommended body composition and/or how to achieve your fitness goals.  Stop by the Health & Fitness lab and set up an appointment to talk with one of the health and fitness professionals.

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