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interpreting
unexpected results
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If you receive unexpected results, please follow this troubleshooting procedure
(be sure to print out a report for your reference):
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| 1. |
Confirm proper data input and settings.
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a. |
Correct sex input (i.e. male versus female). |
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b. |
Proper measurement units for height (i.e.
inches versus centimeters). |
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c. |
Proper measurement units for weight (i.e.
pounds versus kilograms). |
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d. |
Accurate height (i.e. inches versus feet;
enter "69.5" inches for a subject that is 5 feet 9.5
inches tall). |
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| 2. |
Confirm that the subject observed
the pre-test protocol.
Did your subject observe the following guidelines?
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a. |
No alcohol consumption within 24 hours
of taking the test. |
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b. |
No exercise, caffeine or food for four
hours prior to taking the test. |
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c. |
Drink plenty of water in the 24 hour period
prior to testing to maintain normal hydration. |
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The conductivity of an individual's lean body weight depends
on its water content. Therefore, hydration levels will affect
bioresistance readings. Alcohol can cause temporary dehydration.
Caffeine and some medications including diuretics can also
cause temporary dehydration.
Note: Subject hydration can be reviewed by checking the total
body water. Normal hydration levels indicate that lean weight
contains approximately 69% to 74% water. Total body water reading
equal to less than 69% of the subject's lean weight may indicate
dehydration. This information can provide a useful explanation
for a high body fat reading.
For more information, see effects
of hydration. |
| 3. |
Check for proper electrode placement.
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Two pairs of sensor pads are placed on the
subject - one on the right wrist and hand and the other on
the right foot and ankle.
The wrist pad is placed on a line connecting and halfway
between the prominent wrist bones (heads of radius and ulna).
The tab faces outward away from the body and is directly
inline with the prominent outer wrist bone (head of radius).
The hand pad is squarely placed with the edge of the pad
about one-half inch above the knuckle line toward the middle
of the hand. The tab faces outward from the body.
The ankle pad is placed at the crest of the ankle on a line
and halfway between the protuberances at the ankle on the
outside (lateral malleolus) and on the inside (medial malleolus).
The tab faces outward from the body.
The foot pad is placed squarely with the edge approximately
one inch above the toe line, toward the middle of the foot.
The tab faces outward from the body.
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Remember: Red clips closest to the heart.
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Remember: All measurements should be
performed on the RIGHT side of the body. |
For more information, see placing
the sensor pads. |
| 4. |
Check for good electrode-to-skin
adherence.
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Proper electrode-to-skin adherence means that
at least 75% of the electrode has contact with the subject's
skin. For subjects with a large amount of body hair, the use
of electrode gel and/or tape may be required to ensure proper
contact.
If one or more of the sensor pads have poor contact with
the skin, resistance to the injected current may result in
a high body fat reading. With good electrode-to-skin contact,
by using the four site electrode technique the impedance
of the sensor pad contact with the skin does NOT affect the
measurement of total body impedance. |
| 5. |
Check for proper sensor cable hookup.
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The red clips should be attached to the pads
at the wrist and ankle joints. The black clips should be attached
to the pads above the knuckles and toes. If one or both sets
of cable clips are attached in reverse order high body fat
results may occur.
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Remember: "Red clips closest to
the heart." |
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| 6. |
Check for proper subject test position.
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a. |
Subject is lying down, face up. |
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b. |
Subject is relaxed with hands at least
six inches from sides, palms down. Feet are twelve to eighteen inches apart. For heavy-set or overweight
individuals, the feet need to be far enough apart so
that the upper thighs do not touch each other. |
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c. |
Right ankle and wrist are exposed. Nylon
hosiery is removed. |
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The regression equations in the analyzers were developed using
the same body position for all subjects. Deviations from
this position may change the normal path of the current flow
through the body. Body fat tests conducted with the subject
standing, sitting, arms on the chest, legs crossed or close
together, may lead to erroneous body fat results, both high
and low.
For more information, see test
position, effects
of subject position. |
| 7. |
Equipment.
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If all the above causes have been ruled out
and consistently high or low body fat results still occur,
then the unit or cable set may need servicing. Please contact Technical
Support. |
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