Parameters of a body analysis
The most important parameters of a body analysis (BIA) at a glance.
Table of contents
Body Mass Index
The BMI is an index that relates weight to height. It therefore helps to assess weight. Someone who weighs 100 kg and is 2m tall is more likely to be in the green zone than someone who weighs 100 kg but is only 1.65m tall. The BMI is a first indicator when it comes to assessing our weight-related health risk or evaluating our nutritional status. However, it says nothing about where the excess weight comes from or what our weight is made up of. Is it fat mass or muscle mass? Let’s take a closer look at the other parameters.
Skeletal muscle mass
The health benefits of sufficient muscle mass can hardly be overestimated. It not only makes the person exercising more efficient and fitter, but also supports their immune system. Muscle mass can therefore be seen as a measure of general well-being. For many exercisers, it is the most important parameter.
Estimate skeletal muscle mass correctly!
Have you measured your or a customer’s muscle mass and are wondering whether it is a lot or a little or even far too little? The colored areas make the assessment very easy. The ranges are based on body composition data from over 3,000 test subjects. Only values that match your age, gender, ethnicity and BMI are used for you or your customer. You are therefore measured against people who are similar to you. This allows an individual assessment. For example, a 60-year-old woman compares herself with the reference values that suit her and not with the values of a 20-year-old man. You can therefore rely on a fair and individual assessment.
If you or your client are in the red zone, you are well below average (lower 5%) and should urgently work on your muscle building. At the border between the yellow and green areas, you are exactly average and on the safe side as far as the amount of muscle mass is concerned. In the green zone you are above average.
Segmental skeletal muscle mass
The seca TRU determines the muscle mass per arm, leg and for the torso. With this parameter, you can easily recognize imbalances and assess whether the “leg day” has been skipped too often.
However, differences can often be found not only between the lower and upper body, but also between the left and right side of the body. This parameter is also particularly interesting after injury breaks, for example when it comes to assessing the extent to which the knee injury has led to muscle loss and how quickly rehabilitation is progressing.
Percentage fat mass
Many people want to reduce their fat mass in order to reduce health risks, get fit or fit into their favorite pants again. The reduction in body fat shows how effective the training or change in diet is. It is important to retain as much muscle mass as possible. So if possible, never look at the fat mass parameter in isolation, but also keep an eye on muscle mass.
Estimate fat mass correctly!
In the case of fat mass, the colored areas are linked to the BMI limits. For example, an increased fat mass (yellow area) corresponds to the BMI range between 25kg/m² and 30kg/m². A strongly increased fat mass (red area) refers to the BMI range from 30kg/m². This increased health risk is mainly due to visceral fat.
Visceral fat
Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is located in the abdominal cavity between the organs. You should keep a close eye on this fat, as it is metabolically active and is associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and various cancers. It is therefore not just a ballast, but a real risk factor. The visceral fat is determined together with the waist circumference.
The correct measuring point is exactly in the middle between the lowest rib and the upper edge of the hip bone (iliac crest). You can also enter the waist circumference in the software afterwards.
Body Composition Chart
The Body Composition Chart puts fat and muscle mass in relation to each other. This means that the two parameters are not considered in isolation, but in relation to each other. Because if you have a lot of fat and a lot of muscle, you tend to be healthier than someone who has a lot of fat and little muscle. The diagonal line in the middle clearly separates the favorable from the unfavorable fat-to-muscle ratio. The training goal is therefore obvious: move the measuring point as far as possible to the bottom right corner. If you or your customer start on the unfavorable side, try to cross the line. With the BCC you can easily recognize “unhealthy” weight loss. For example, if a change in diet results mainly in the loss of water and muscle mass, but fat mass is retained. This example shows a realistic progression, a lot of fat mass has been lost, but also some muscle mass. However, the destination point is on the right, favorable side. The weight loss achieved can therefore be considered good.
Phase angle
The phase angle shows you and your customers how the metabolically active cells are doing, especially the muscle cells. If you have a lot of muscle mass, you generally also have a high phase angle. However, the phase angle not only provides an indication of the quantity, but also of the quality of the muscle cells. If the phase angle drops, it may be that the quality of the cells has deteriorated, for example due to a cold, lack of sleep, inadequate nutrition or overtraining. The phase angle is also compared with data from your own reference group. The area colored red corresponds to the bottom 5 percent of the reference group.
TRU Body Score
The TRU Body Score evaluates muscle mass and body fat percentage and shows at a glance whether progress has been made. The TRU Body Score refers to your own reference group, i.e. people of the same age, sex and height.
The average value is 100 points and stands for a healthy and balanced body composition. To improve the value, muscle mass must be built up and fat mass reduced.
Does the sports program have a positive effect on fat reduction? Does a high-protein diet help build muscle? You will get the answer in subsequent measurements with the seca TRU. It is important to understand that the body composition analysis can only reveal the full potential of the training in subsequent measurements. Only then will you see improvements or whether successes are sustainable.
