body fat determination

The optimal body fat percentage is 11-17% for men and between 19 and 22% for women. By determining the body fat deposit, conclusions can be drawn about the active body substance (muscles, bone structure). 

These partial body masses allow a better assessment of the body structure than simple body structure indices such as the body mass index (BMI).

These only estimate the relationship between height and body mass. Athletes with a lot of muscle mass can have a high BMI, which is why it is wrongly assumed that they have too much fat.

The change in body fat is more meaningful in evaluating a training program than a change in weight.

For example, the scales may show a weight loss of 3 kg. But when you measure your body fat, it may turn out that you have actually lost 4,5 kg of fat and gained 1,5 kg of muscle.

There are different methods of body fat determinationAmong other things, we use impedance measurement to determine the electrical conductivity of the organism.

Because of its higher fluid and electrolyte content, lean muscle tissue has a greater electrical conductivity than fat tissue, so that the amount of fat and lean mass in the organism can be determined by means of a lower current flow through the body and the resistance measured. Unfortunately, there are many internal and external factors that influence the impedance method. This includes the body's fluid balance, which cannot be seen from the outside and on which the impedance measurement is based.

The practice clinic for Diagnostics and Preventive Medicine in Bornheim near Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf therefore also uses calipermetry to measure body fat. The thickness of certain skin folds is measured with the fat caliper and the fat content is determined from this.