This assessment allows a very accurate determination of the two components of body composition: adipose/body fat tissue and lean/muscle and bone tissue while simultaneously eliminating the variation that can occur when using repeated skinfold measurement. BIA is comparable to “the Gold Standard” of body composition determination – underwater weighing. We use the Bodystat 1500, a four-electrode BIA unit. The BIA test itself involves the passing of a tiny, undetectable electrical charge between an electrode on the hand and an electrode on the foot. The Bodystat 1500 is able to measure the resistance (impedance) of the electrical charge and from this information accurately determine the percent body fat and the percent lean tissue. Basically the principle of its operation is this: muscle which is high in water content conducts electricity well and offers a lower resistance in comparison to adipose tissue which contains minimal water and offers a high resistance. Therefore, if the impedance reading is low, the percent body fat is low and vice versa.
Unlike other BIA handheld fitness equipment and scales, which only have electrodes either in the hands or under the feet, the Bodystat 1500 measures the resistance through the true dimensions of the body - hand to foot, which allows for a much more accurate and reliable measurement. BIA using the Bodystat 1500 is a great way of monitoring your weight loss and tracking your training progress since you can monitor both components of body weight – adipose tissue and lean (muscle and bone) tissue. This assessment allows an individual to actually see slight changes in lean muscle tissue and fat percentage - even when body dimensions and body weight may not give an indication. In fact monitoring weight changes alone can be highly misleading, since muscle, which is mostly water, is denser and heavier than fat tissue. An increase in percentage lean tissue from strength training automatically decreases the body fat percentage.
In addition to being able to measure fat and lean tissue, the Bodystat 1500 is also able to provide ideal ranges based on your actual results - not from height/weight tables and other normative data. The Bodystat 1500 is also able to measure your Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR. BMR is the minimum amount of energy required by the body simply to sustain life functions such as heart contraction and breathing while in a subconscious (sleeping) state. This value is directly proportional to lean muscle tissue content, since muscle consumes energy and produces body heat. For example, even at rest a bodybuilder will have a higher metabolism and consume more energy than an unconditioned sedentary individual. The unit can even calculate an Estimated Average Requirement or EAR- the number of calories (energy) you require in a day based on your BMR and your reported daily physical activity level. Finally, the Bodystat 1500 is able to determine hydration status too, which is critical for athletes, especially runners performing in warm temperatures.
Find out how to purchase this assessment alone or as part of our more comprehensive Fitness Assessment or Combined Fitness and Nutrition Consultation and Fitness Assessment
Find out how to purchase the Bodystat 1500 unit from our online store.
VO2 max is a valid indication of how efficient your body is able to utilize oxygen to perform work. Therefore knowing your VO2 max is ideal to give an indication of cardiovascular fitness levels and as a baseline to monitor the progress of a fitness improvement program. For this assessment we use the revolutionary Polar F92Ti heart monitor watch. The watch uses the Polar Fitness Test to determine a value known as your “Ownindex” which is a value corresponding to your VO2 max. Basically, the test involves the watch receiver wirelessly sensing the variability of the heart at rest in either the lying or seated position. From this and other data such as resting heart rate, gender, age, height, body weight and self-assessment of the level of long-term physical activity (last 6 months) the monitor is able to determine a VO2 value having a high reliability comparable to performing a submaximal treadmill VO2 max test. If performed regularly, the test can provide objective evidence of fitness improvement, which in turn, helps stay motivated and to comply with the personal training program.
Core strength assessment evaluates the strength and quality of activation of the transversus abdominis muscle, which as mentioned in several articles on this site plays a key role in stabilizing the lower back to not only reduce lower back pain, but also to increase performance in everyday functional activities and in all sports. In addition, the strength and flexibility of other “core” muscles such as the lower abdominals, oblique abdominals, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus and iliopsoas (hip flexor) muscles will be evaluated. Core strength serves as a baseline for the design and implementation of a complete Core strength training program.
Posture can be thought of as the position of the limbs or the manner in which the body carries itself as a whole. A postural analysis assessment gives an excellent indication of the presence of muscle imbalances in the body. Muscle imbalances occur when a muscle on one side of a joint becomes tight and strong (called the agonist muscle) and its partner on the opposite side which also performs the opposite action (known as the antagonist muscle) become lengthened and weak. Muscle imbalances may eventually lead to injury and pain by altering the biomechanics of the joint and can also cause movements to be uncoordinated and inefficient. Therefore, the postural analysis gives an indication of what muscles might be tight and strong even before beginning a flexibility assessment.
The subject is viewed from both the left and right sides as well as from the front and back.
Functional movement assessment focuses on the performance of seven functional movements as a screen to help determine the presence of any deficiencies in motor patterns, balance and flexibility. Functional movements are those that have a high relevance and carry-over to everyday activities such as walking, squatting, lunging and sports specific movements. The Functional Movement Screen or FMS devised by one of our advisors, Gray Cook is used to screen for functional movement capabilities. The FMS consists of seven functional tests: the deep squat, the hurdle test, the in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, the straight leg raise, the stability pushup and the rotational stability test.
Find out more information and a thorough description and video demonstration of the FMS.
Speed is the ability to achieve a high velocity. Agility is a measure of the body’s ability to decelerate and stop the body explosively against forces such as inertia and momentum, make a directional change and accelerate again. In most functional movements and particularly in sports, agility is often more important than simply achieving a high velocity. Speed strength is the ability to generate accelerative and decelerative forces at high speed and therefore is a function of both speed and agility. Therefore, we employ several agility and speed drills in our assessment of speed strength among these are the T-test and the hexagon test for agility and the 40-yard sprint for speed determination.
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