Msc CLINICAL NUTRITION AND

DIETETICS

Role of Body composition analysis in physical

fitness and health

Submitted to:
Mrs, DEEPA JM

Submitted by:
TJ THAJAI

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 CONTENT:

Sl.no Topic Page

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1 Abstract 3
2 Introduction 3
3 Body composition: 4
4 Fat function, metabolism and 4
storage
5 Health and performance 4
considerations:
6 Assessing body composition: 5
7 Body Mass Index (BMI): 5
8 Physical fitness 5
9 Conclusion 6
10 Reference 7

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Abstract:
The term Body Composition is used to illustrate the different components that, when
taken together, makes up a person's body weight. For analysis of body composition it
is often suitable to think of the body as made of two components: fat and non-fat. The
non-fat portion is called "fat free mass" or "lean body mass".

Introduction:

Body composition analysis is an assessment of the fat proportion to fat-free mass in

the body. This assessment is considered vital for evaluating the health status of a
person and more important for athletes to evaluate their total body composition. As for
athletes, it is essential for them to stay in the healthy zone of a low range of body fat to
muscle, bones and organs. Body composition analysis is typically recommended at the
start of any weight loss program, weight gain or targeted training program. Body
composition involves breaking down into core components-protein, fat, mineral and
body water. It is the proportion of fat to the non-fat mass of the body. Healthy body
composition is one that has lower percentage of body fat and a higher percentage of
non-fat mass that includes muscle, bones and organs. A normal weighing scale cannot
provide you with body composition analysis. This test can be done by a healthcare
provider or trained paramedical staff. There are specially designed scales and handled
devices that use bioelectrical resistance to send a small wave of electrical current via
the body to measure complete body composition. Fat, water and lean tissue are read
separately with different currents and provide a general picture of the body fat index
of a person.A simple method used to measure body composition is called skinfold
measurement. A painless instrument called calipers is used to measure the fat in
different parts of the body by gently holding a portion of the skin.A DEXA scan or
bone density scan is generally performed in a lab to assess the bone density of a
person. It provides precise information about a person’s bone density, body fat and
muscle mass and beneficial in evaluating levels of physical fitness. It is usually
suggested by a healthcare provider to determine any bone loss due to osteoporosis,
inappropriate weight management or other factors. Hydrostatic weighing is a high-
efficiency test for measuring body composition. The person must completely
submerge underwater, and the water’s displacement is measured. A combination of
bone density measurement with water displacement helps to calculate the accurate
body composition.

Body composition:

With respect to health and fitness, body composition is used to describe the
percentages of fat, bone and muscle in human bodies. The body fat percentage is of
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most interest because it can be very helpful in assessing health. Because muscular
tissue is denser that fat tissue, assessing ones body fat is necessary to determine the
overall composition of the body, particularly when making health recommendations.
Two people at the same height and same body weight may have different health issues
because they have a different body composition.

Fat: function, metabolism and storage:

Although body fat endures a negative reputation, fats and lipids play critical roles in
the overall functioning of the body, such as in digestion and energy metabolism. Fat is
the body's energy provider and energy reserve, which helps the body maintain a
constant temperature. Fats and lipids are also involved in the production and
regulation of some hormones such as, steroid hormones. These are essential in
regulating sexuality, reproduction, and development of the human sex organs, as well
as in regulating the water balance in the body.
Fats and lipids also have important structural roles in maintaining nerve impulse
transmission, memory storage, and tissue structure. Lipids are the major component of
cell membranes.
Fat serve as an energy reserve for the body, particularly as exercise progresses past 20
minutes. Fats are used, as an energy source as exercise progresses in duration is the
major contributor of energy for endurance events, 30+ min. Fat also act as an insulator
and protector of organs as approximately 50% of all fat deposits are in and around
organs.

Health and performance considerations:

From a performance stand point, excess body fat lowers your work to weight ratio,
This means that a heavier person would consume more energy per minute of work
resulting in a lower energy economy during activity. In addition, excess body fat can
lead to additional loads placed on joint during weight bearing activities such as
running, causing joint distress. Healthy or athletic body fat percentages typically allow
for more optimal performances, due to the improved economy and reduced injuries.
The immune system is often impaired when body fat stores are too low. A reduced
ability to fight infections means more interruptions in training and more chance of
being sick on race day. For female athletes, there are some very immediate
consequences of a low body fat level, including a fall in circulating oestrogen levels.
This in turn can lead to a loss of bone mass, causing problems for women in later life
through an increased risk of bone fracture.

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Assessing body composition:

Assessing body fat can be done using the following methodologies: Hydrostatic
weighing, skinfold assessment and bio-electrical impedance. Of these methods, one
that is both accurate and practical is skinfold measurement. The measurements are
taken with calipers, which gauge the skinfold thickness in millimeters of areas where
fat typically accumulates (i.e., abdomen, hip, arm, back, and thigh). Once the
measurements are recorded, the numbers are inserted into an equation that calculates a
body fat percentage and alternatively body lean mass. When measurements are
performed with good technique, the skinfold test can accurately predict body fat with a
plus or minus 3% margin of error. Skinfold is a preferred method of body fat
measurement for non-clinical settings because it is easy to administer with proven
accuracy and is not obtrusive with regards to the patient. It also provides much more
data than just the final composition measurement - it also yields the thickness of many
sites, which can be used as bases of comparison with future results. For example, an
abdominal skinfold improvement from 35mm to 24mm would show a significant
improvement in that site even if the overall body fat percentage may have only
reduced minimally.

Body Mass Index (BMI):

BMI is often mistaken as measurable guide to body fat. However, BMI is simply a
weight to height ratio. It is a tool for indicating weight status in adults and general
health in large populations. BMI correlates mildly with body fat but when used in
conjunction with a body fat measurement gives a very accurate presentation of your
current weight status.

Physical fitness:

Physical fitness was measured using the ALPHA health related fitness test-battery.
The ALPHA-battery of tests are considered valid and reliable for evaluation of
physical fitness levels in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years and detailed
information about the ALPHA battery is available elsewhere. Cardiorespiratory fitness
was assessed using the 20-m shuttle run test and this was conducted last considering
the maximality of the test. The participant started at a pace of 8.5 km/h, increasing
with 0.5 km/h each minute of the test while running between two lines 20 m apart and
keeping pace with the pre-recorded audio signals. The test continued until the child
decided to stop due to fatigue or if the participant failed to run the 20-m distance
before the signal was played two consecutive times.

Upper body muscular strength was evaluated using the hand grip strength test with an
analogue dynamometer (TKK 5001, Grip-A, Takei, Tokyo, Japan). Hand size of the

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participant was measured to the nearest 0.5 cm, and the grip span of the dynamometer
was adjusted in order to assure the correct setting to acquire maximal hand grip
strength. The participant squeezed the dynamometer with maximal power two times in
each hand and the best of two attempts was registered. Thereafter, the average of both
hands was calculated and used in the analyses.

Lower body muscular strength was assessed using the best of two attempts of the
standing long jump test, where the participant jumped as far as possible with both feet
together while remaining upright.The distance from the start-line to the back of the
heel nearest to the starting point was measured.Motor fitness was evaluated using the
4 × 10 m shuttle run test. During the test, the child ran as fast as possible between two
parallel lines 10 m apart. This test was performed twice with a total distance of 40 m
(4 × 10 m) covered each time. Since lower scores (seconds) indicate higher
performance, the results were inverted (by multiplying by − 1) in the statistical
analyses.

Conclusion:

The role of body composition analysis in physical fitness and health is paramount,
offering insights that extend far beyond mere numbers on a scale. Through advanced
techniques such as DEXA scans, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and anthropometric
measurements, individuals can gain a comprehensive understanding of their body's
composition, including the distribution of muscle, fat, bone, and water. One of the
primary benefits of body composition analysis is its ability to provide a more accurate
assessment of an individual's overall health than traditional methods like BMI alone.
By distinguishing between lean body mass and body fat percentage, body composition
analysis offers a more nuanced understanding of one's physical condition. This
precision is particularly valuable for athletes, as it enables them to tailor their training
regimens to optimize performance and minimize injury risk. Moreover, body
composition analysis plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of chronic
diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. By identifying
imbalances in body composition, healthcare professionals can develop targeted
interventions, including personalized exercise and nutrition plans, to promote weight
loss, muscle gain, and overall well-being. This proactive approach not only improves
physical health outcomes but also reduces the economic burden associated with
treating preventable diseases.

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