THE Impedance scalesalso known as Bioimpedance balancesNot only do they measure our weight, but they also give us an overall picture of our body composition and also measure ours fat massTHE Lean mass, the mass of our skeleton and the amount of water in our body, but also more specific information such as the ratio between essential fats and fatty fat. This information is useful for determining diets, exercise training, and health monitoring in clinical settings.
How does impedance compensation work?
Impedance scales use basic electrotechnical quantities that, in combination with empirical algorithms, estimate other body parameters.
The theory behind these devices is Bioimpedance measurementor analysis ofbioelectrical impedance (BIA, from English: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) of the human body. This analysis is widely used in body composition assessment due to the high speed of information processing, as it is a non-invasive method that generates information using wearable devices, is easy to use and relatively inexpensive, and allows estimation of body composition distribution fluids in the body. and extracellular spaces.
L'electrical impedance It is a basic term in electrical engineering that it describes how well a circuit resists the flow of current when a voltage is applied at its terminals. It is quite similar to the concept of electrical resistanceHowever, it is a generalized concept because it takes into account not only the effects of electrical resistance but also the effects of Capability and from inductors present in the circuit (so-called reactances). These reactive effects only occur in circuits that are powered by time-varying variables (alternating variables) and increase or decrease depending on the frequency change. These effects do not occur in circuits that are supplied with direct current (in the steady state).
From an electrical perspective, the human body behaves like one driver It therefore has its own electrical impedance, which is made up of resistance and capacitive reactance. However, this impedance is not always constant in the human body, but rather very variable and depends on various factors such as: fluid intake, state of health, stress, amount of muscle mass, fat mass and external environmental conditions. through the path that the current takes in the body itself.
Bioimpedance scales not only have the standard sensors for measuring body weight, but also some of them metal plates on the support surface (the most advanced ones also have dumbbells to hold in their hands, like in the title picture), which look like real ones Electrodes. By climbing the scales (barefoot, of course, and possibly naked), the scales leave a very faint and imperceptible impression on the body of the person standing on the scales. Electrical power, high frequency and low voltage. The same electrodes measure the potential difference that occurs between the two feet and thus determine the value of the impedance. Once the body impedance has been measured, this data, together with the measured weight and a series of other data and information requested by the scale itself or by the application that manages it (such as gender, age, height, physical activity performed, etc.), displayed .), application of certain empirical formulas treasure indirect all evaluable parameters described above.
Possible uses of impedance scales
The best professional impedance scales are useful tools for monitoring body composition in areas such as nutrition, fitness training or medicine. They can help you track progress towards your health and fitness goals and provide a more comprehensive view of your body than just weight.
These devices are then used and used Nutrition professionals to determine the basis on which to build a diet or to monitor its development over time, rather than as a personal trainer and in sports in general, monitoring the physical condition of an athlete or a person simply personal physical performs activity.
Finally, bioimpedance measurement is also used clinical area, for example for the monitoring of certain chronic diseases, thereby providing additional data on the clinical development of patients observed in the medium and long term. In this case, the analysis of bioelectrical impedance is carried out not with scales, but with special medical devices that can provide more precise and reliable values.
How reliable are impedance scales?
The accuracy of impedance scales can vary depending on several factors, including fluid intake and food intake. Additionally, as mentioned, the data they provide does not directly measure fat or muscle mass, but these values do derived indirectly based on empirical estimates. The use of this scale is therefore intended for simple general monitoring without claiming to be a precise diagnostic method.
It is therefore important to remember that these scales provide useful information about your physical condition, but are not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is always advisable to implement an exercise program tailored to your body instead of a diet. First, consult your doctor or healthcare professional Expert. In order to correctly interpret the data, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the basics of this method, the correction equations used and the resources that the method can offer to assess body composition.