Hydrostatic weighing
Hydrostatic Weighing
Hydrostatic weighing, also known as underwater weighing, is a technique used to measure body composition and body fat. It is considered one of the most accurate methods of body fat measurement.
Pronunciation
Hydrostatic: /ˌhaɪdrəˈstatɪk/ Weighing: /ˈweɪɪŋ/
Etymology
The term 'hydrostatic' is derived from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water and 'static' meaning causing to stand, referring to the balance of water pressure. 'Weighing' is derived from the Old English 'wegian', meaning to weigh.
Method
Hydrostatic weighing involves immersing a person in water and measuring their displacement and weight. The principle behind this method is Archimedes' principle, which states that the buoyant force on a submerged object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
Related Terms
- Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of body fat based on height and weight.
- Skinfold thickness: A method of measuring body fat by pinching the skin and fat layer.
- Bioelectrical impedance: A method of estimating body composition based on the speed of an electrical current through the body.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Hydrostatic weighing is highly accurate, but it can be inconvenient and uncomfortable for the person being measured. It also requires specialized equipment and trained personnel.
See Also
- Body composition
- Body fat percentage
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Bioelectrical impedance
- Skinfold thickness
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hydrostatic weighing
- Wikipedia's article - Hydrostatic weighing
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