Owners manual

21
5. Why is the Athlete Mode necessary in a Body Fat Analyzer?
It has been found that body fat estimation using BIA could overestimate the percentage body
fat of adult elite athletes. The physiological variation of athletes in bone density and level of
hydration are two of the reasons that account for the difference. The Athlete mode is suitable
for user ages 15 and older.
6. Definition of an Athlete
The general consensus among researchers is that a quantitative dimension could be used in
defining an athlete. For example, an athlete could be defined as a person who consistently
trains a minimum of three times per week for two hours each time, in order to improve specific
skill required in the performance of their specific sport and/or activity.
7. What is Muscle Mass?
Our Body Fat Scale estimates the weight of Skeletal Muscle Mass in your body. There are 650
muscles in your body, and they make up roughly half of your body weight. These muscles can
be divided into three different groups: skeletal, smooth and cardiac. All of these muscles can
stretch and contract, but they perform very different functions.
Skeletal muscle: Produces movement, maintains posture, stabilizes joints and generates heat
Smooth muscle: Found in the wall of hollow organs
Cardiac muscle: Exists only in your heart
Skeletal muscles (SM)
The tissue most commonly thought of as muscle is skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscles cover your
skeleton, giving your body its shape. They are attached to your skeleton by strong, springy
tendons or are directly connected to rough patches of bone. Skeletal muscles are under
voluntary control, which means you consciously control what they do. Mostly all body
movement, from walking to nodding your head, is caused by skeletal muscle contraction.
Your skeletal muscles function almost continuously to maintain your posture, making one tiny
adjustment after another to keep your body upright. Skeletal muscle is also important for
holding your bones in the correct position and prevents your joints from dislocating. Some
skeletal muscles in your face are directly attached to your skin. The slightest contraction of one
of these muscles changes your facial expression. Skeletal muscle generates heat as a by-product
of muscle activity. This heat is vital for maintaining your normal body temperature. Skeletal
muscle represents approximately 30% of body weight of a healthy 58kg/128lb woman or 40%
of a 70kg/154lb man. (International Commission on Radiological Protection, 1975)
8. What is Bone Mass?
Our Body Fat Scale estimates the weight of non-living bone mineral content. This is important for
monitoring and maintaining healthy bones through exercise and a calcium-rich diet. An adult skeleton
is made up of 206 bones, which come in several different shapes and sizes and have specific
structure. Your bones contain blood vessels, nerve cells and living bone cells known as osteocytes.
These are held together by a framework of hard, non-living material containing calcium and
phosphorous. A thin membrane called the periosteum covers the surface of your bones.
Bone Mineral Content differs according to age and sex.
The typical range of percentage bone mass (mineral content) of average men and women is
between 4.0 to 5.3%. (Rico 1993)
9. What is a Calorie Predictor?
The Calorie Predictor function estimates the number of calories required based on your body
composition and user entered personal data. This tool can be used as a guide when setting
daily calorie goals during weight loss and exercise programs.
10. What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
BMI is a ratio of a person’s weight to height. BMI is commonly used to classify weight as
“healthy” or “unhealthy”.