TOTAL BODY COMPOSITION

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Olivia Snow
5 years ago
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1 Specialists in Joint Replacement, Spinal Surgery, Orthopaedics and Sport Injuries DEXA TOTAL BODY COMPOSITION

2 WHY CHOOSE DEXA TOTAL BODY COMPOSITION? DEXA, short for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology used to measure bone mineral content, predominantly in the lower back and hips. Additionally, it is todays gold standard for determining total body composition. This total body scan uses a three compartment model to distinguish between: 1. Body fat mass 2. Lean mass 3. Bone mineral content To give a 98% accuracy rate. Desription Women Men Essential fat 10% 13% 2% 5% Athletes 14% 20% 6% 13% Fitness 21% 24% 14% 17% Average 25% 31% 18% 24% Obese 32% and above 25% and above WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? A DEXA scan is a quick, non-invasive examination which takes roughly ten minutes. You will lie flat on your back on a cushioned table for the scan. The scanner arm will pass over you whilst scanning. It is very open. You will need to keep still. Metal implants are not affected by the scan.

3 WHO SHOULD HAVE A DEXA TOTAL BODY COMPOSITION? Health & Fitness if you are aiming to lose weight and want to monitor fat loss and muscle gain. Rehabilitation to monitor lean mass through your rehabilitation programme with the aim of minimising muscle loss. Athlete if you are trying to achieve a low ratio of fat to lean tissue mass and want to monitor progress. Teams to help empirically assess team and individual responses to training programs. DEXA Total Body Composition can be used to provide a benchmark for performance enhancement and provides graphic visual images of weight loss and changes in percentage body fat. ATHLETIC CONDITIO- NING CHANGES IN MUSCLE MASS SERIAL DEXA TOTAL BODY COMPOSITION SCANS PROVIDE DATA REGARDING: TRAINING OUTCOMES CHANGES IN FAT MASS REHABILITATION PROCESS

4 PREPARATION There is very little preparation necessary for a DEXA Total Body Composition scan: Do not take calcium tablets for 48hours prior to your scan. Avoid wearing any clothing with zips, buckles or metal, otherwise a gown will be provided for you. Please inform the Radiology department if you have had a recent barium study or have consumed or been injected with contrast for a CT scan or RNI scan in the last 7 days. Variables can influence total body composition results and therefore it is important to be scanned under the same circumstances as your previous scans. The onus for consistency lies with you, we will not police this. At SSC we recommend: To fast for at least 1-2 hours prior to a scan as the recently consumed food can mimic lean fat mass. If you do or don t exercise for your first test, please repeat these steps for all subsequent scans. A 30-minute cool down post workout is advised if you have exercised. Normal hydration is recommended and again hydration levels should be kept as constant as possible between scans. You should empty your bladder before the scan. Try to avoid having your scan a week before menstruation as water retention can affect results. HYDRATION MENSTRUAL CYCLE VARIABLES EXERCISE FOOD INTAKE

5 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS A printed report with graphics and data will be given to you following your scan. SSC will provide the data, however we will not provide any analysis as part of the scan. If required, you should consult with your own personal trainer/nutritionist/physician/coach. If you are hoping to make lifestyle changes following the results of your scan it is recommended to do so under the guidance and supervision of an appropriately qualified professional. Please contact the Sports Medicine Team in SSC if you would like to have a consultation. The data you will receive will include the following body measurements: Total body mass and total body fat percentage Total lean body mass Regional breakdown measurements of fat and muscle You will not receive data on your bone density. INTERVAL SCANS Interval scans can provide a comprehensive breakdown of overall performance and progress. Tissue (%Fat) 30% 28% 26% 24% 22% 20% 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% Trended Total Fat % Age (years) Centile

FOLLOW-UP SCANS Repeat scans should be carried out every 3-6 months depending on your goals and fitness regimens. At SSC we will not routinely scan you any more than once every three months.

6 FOLLOW-UP SCANS Repeat scans should be carried out every 3-6 months depending on your goals and fitness regimens. At SSC we will not routinely scan you any more than once every three months. NORMAL BONE THE COST OF A SCAN: 60 A PACKAGE OF TWO SCANS: 100 RADIATION AND DEXA The radiation dose associated with a Total Body Composition DEXA is extremely low. It is the equivalent of approximately one hour of natural background radiation in Ireland. SPORTS SURGERY CLINIC Northwood Avenue, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9, D09 C523 Phone: , radiology@sportssurgeryclinic.com

Bone density scanning and osteoporosis

Bone density scanning and osteoporosis What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis occurs when the struts which make up the mesh-like structure within bones become thin causing them to become fragile and break