If you lead an active lifestyle and invest countless hours in workouts, it can be frustrating not to see the significant changes you’re striving for. Your dedication deserves accurate tracking and feedback.
The InBody test offers precise insights into body composition, but its accuracy can be compromised if not approached correctly. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you’re preparing correctly for the InBody test and maximizing the results from your active routine.
The Science of the InBody Test
The InBody test uses bioelectrical impedance, where a micro-electric current measures the impedance in your body. Various factors, like temperature and metals, can influence this measurement. Here’s what to consider:
1. Dietary and Biological Considerations
- Using the Bathroom: Empty your bladder before the test to avoid distortions in the results. The presence of contents in your stomach and bladder, such as undigested food or urine, could potentially increase the body fat mass, leading to inaccurate measurements.
- Wait 2-3 hours After Eating: It is recommended to wait for 2-3 hours after eating before undergoing the InBody test. This helps to ensure accurate results by allowing enough time for digestion and minimizing any potential interference with the test.
2. What to Wear and Remove for the InBody Test
- Light Clothing With Bare Feet: Heavy clothing can affect the results. Go for light attire. And importantly, the test should be performed barefoot due to the Contact Resistance—the disruption level between the InBody electrode and skin. Obstacles like socks or pantyhose can affect accuracy.
- Avoid Metal Items: Metal conducts electricity. Any external metal, like jewellery, coins, or even mobile phones, can lead to inaccurate readings. Always ensure you’ve removed all external metal objects, including:
- Watches: Even if they seem minor, they can still affect readings.
- Jewellery: This includes bracelets, rings, and any other metal adornments.
- Wallets: Especially those containing coins or metal cards.
- Mobile Phones: Ensure they’re taken out of your pocket.
However, if you have internal metal implants, such as screws or joint replacements, they generally don’t significantly impact the results. If the implants are only small bolts or similar, they would have little influence on the impedance readings, and any changes observed around the implant site can be regarded to be within the error range. Nonetheless, it’s essential to always consult the professional administering the test to ensure safety and accuracy.
Special Note for Individuals With Pacemakers
The InBody test involves electrical signals. Individuals with pacemakers should be cautious, as the test might interfere with their pacemaker’s functioning. It’s advisable to avoid the test altogether to sidestep any potential complications.
3. Temperature
- Room Temperature: For accurate readings, the test should be conducted at room temperature. This is because extreme temperatures, whether too hot or too cold, can cause the dilation or constriction of blood vessels, which in turn can affect the impedance readings and compromise the accuracy of the test.
- Body Temperature Adjustments: Activities like showering or visiting a sauna alter your body’s internal temperature, affecting blood flow and, in turn, the test’s accuracy. To maintain the integrity of your results, avoid such activities at least an hour before the test.
4. Posture Matters
- Positioning of Arms and Legs: The way you position yourself during the InBody test is paramount. Bending limbs can alter the current flow, leading to discrepancies in results. Specifically, having a reduced arm length due to a bent arm might result in an underestimation of your Percentage Body Fat (PBF). Therefore, it is important to always keep your arms and legs straight.
5. Best time for InBody test
- Test Before Exercise: After exercises like cycling or weightlifting, specific muscles can retain more blood than usual, which can skew results. Increased lean mass and reduced PBF can distort readings, especially if there’s excessive sweating involved.
- Consistency in Testing Time: If you’re taking multiple tests over a period, it is advisable to aim for the same time of day for each test. This approach not only ensures consistency in your testing conditions but also provides a clearer and more accurate representation of your progress over time. By maintaining a consistent testing time, you eliminate potential variations in factors such as bloating that could potentially impact your InBody test results.
Unlock Your True Progress with the InBody Test
Active lifestyles demand accurate feedback. The InBody test can provide crucial insights into your body composition changes. But remember, its effectiveness relies heavily on proper preparation. Make the most of your dedication and hard work by following the guidelines above.
To further enhance your InBody experience and obtain more accurate insights from the InBody test, we invite you to get a downloadable PDF file that serves as a convenient reminder for all InBody users, as shown below.
This printable guide will help you remember the key steps for accurate test preparation, ensuring that you get the most reliable and precise results from your InBody tests. Download now and unlock the full potential of your InBody journey!
