< Back to Testing Protocols TOC 

Equipment:

• Bio-Impedance measurement machine e.g. Bodystat 1500 or Maltron
• Disposable electrodes
• Floor Mat 

Overview:

Calculation of body fat using Bioelectrical impedance Analysis is based on the rationale that the high electrolytic water content in lean tissue makes it a good conductor of electrical current and therefore gives a low impedance. This opposite is true for body fat which has a low electrolytic content and therefore gives a high impedance value. Bioelectrical impedance Analysis reflects the degree of resistance to the flow of current in the body and from this body fat percentage is calculated.

Pre-Test Conditions:

For accurate and reproducible results on repeat tests, it is very important that the subject is as normally hydrated as possible. The following guidelines should be followed wherever possible:

• No eating or drinking 4 to 5 hours prior to the test
• No exercise 12 hours prior to the test
• No alcohol or caffeine 24 hours prior to the test

Test Procedure:

Prior to measurement, the following information should be entered into the unit

• Gender
• Age
• Height
• Weight
• Activity Level

The subject should be prepared for measurement by removing the right shoe and sock or stocking and be asked to lie down flat with arms and legs spread. It is important to ensure that no parts of the body are touching.

Attach a disposable electrode to the following locations:

1. Behind the knuckle of the middle finger on the right hand
2. On the right wrist next to the ulnar head
3. Behind the toe on the right foot
4. On the ankle of the right foot between the mallioli i.e. front and middle 

Connect the leads to the electrodes ensuring that the black connections go to the wrist and ankle and the red connections are attached to the electrodes nearest the toes and fingers.

NB: it is important which set of leads are connected to foot or hand.

The subject is then ready to be measured and by pressing the enter key to confirm the electrodes are connected, the measurement will commence. The body fat percentage will be displayed on the screen.

The following measurements are also available and should be displayed on the screen:

• Total body fat weight
• Lean body mass percentage
• Total weight of lean body mass
• Total body water percentage
• Total volume of body water