I had a bodystat (pads attached to hands and feet) done at work this week in our sports department.
Interesting to note that I undereat by about 700 calories a day and that the ideal % of water needed for an accurate result was 65 (when I registered a 58 even though I’d been drinking like a fish). I came out at 12% although I know I’m sure I’m actually much much less.
What I want to know is that does anyone know how much inaccuracy you can get on a bodystat if (like I was) I was 7% off ideal hydration ?
I have always used those stats for comparison over time more than anything else. i find that like weight it can vary throughout the day and depending on the amount of electrolytes in your system.
I think that all such realted tests (resting HR, BP, weight, fat %, BMI, even height) are only relevent when taken over time (using the same equipment) and used in relation to one another. Trending is the answer!
my bf % from more accurate testing measures is around 7% but my bf scale at home that bases numbers off hydration figures, like the one that you used, regularly puts me around 13%. I use it to track my change, not an accurate one time measure.
What method did you use to getm your 7 ?
if you want a good estimate of skinfold measurement you need to get tested by a qualified person using something such as skinfold calipers (make sure they use a good make like Harpenden, which is what we use) or hydrostatic weighing (which is the gold standard). There’s also DEXA but that is likely to be expensive and not easily available in the UK(???).
Body fat analysis by bio electrical impedance analysis (BIA) - which is how you tested – isn’t always very accurate depending on the model used and the hydration level of the person being tested.
We can arrange skinfold assessment as part of other testing if you’re interested (shout me at ric@cyclecoach.com)
however, the only way to get truly accurate body fat measurement figures is not at all recommended.
ric
skin calipers via varsity sports trainer here at the university
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