Com-po-si-tion: The combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole.
Body composition is one of the Nine Dimensions of Functional Fitness. Information regarding the relative amount of percent body fat and the distribution of fat stored in the body can be used as a relative measure of your fitness level, and will help us determine whether your exercise program is working. Research has demonstrated that there is an association between excess body fat and many chronic diseases: Type ll Diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and certain types of cancer. Lean body mass assessment is also very important. Muscle is an active tissue and is constantly burning energy in order to develop tension and create force. It also helps protect your joints and allows you to move through your environment with improved stability and strength. Sarcopenia (muscle wasting) can occur with a sedentary lifestyle and with certain diseases. Loss of muscle is generally accompanied by increase body fat, and leads to decrease muscular control and health.
Body fat analysis is an important part of your health and fitness screening because obesity and increased body fat, is now an accepted independent risk factor for coronary artery disease.
Body Fat Percentage Standards
| Women: | |
| 56 or older | 25%-38% |
| 35-55 | 23%-38% |
| < 34 | 20%-35% |
| Athletic | 12%-22% |
| Men: | |
| > 56 | 25%-38% |
| 35-55 | 10%-25% |
| < 34 | 8%-22% |
| Athletic | Athletic |
We will use skinfold measurements as a means to predict your percent body fat. The analysis is based on the principle that your subcutaneous (under the skin) fat is proportional to the total amount of body fat in your body. There are limitations to the procedure due to the possible error of the technician, the equation used to predict your % body fat, and the measurement technique. The variability in predictions of percent body fat is approximately 3.5%.
The measurement we make will be used to help us individualize your exercise program, and to evaluate how effective it is in reducing your body fat.
