HAWC enlists Bod Pod to keep Airmen on track

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La --  With the new Air Force fitness test standards in place, it's more important than ever for Airmen to ensure they are in compliance. For their part, the Health and Wellness Center have purchased new, state-of-the-art equipment to keep Barksdale Airmen on track.

The Bod Pod, a large egg-shaped chamber used to measure body fat mass, is ideal for estimating the percent and absolute amounts of fat and lean body mass of an individual.
Tedric Johnson, Barksdale HAWC fitness specialist, said Airmen can benefit from the Bod Pod in several ways.

"It [the Bod Pod] can help health professionals determine if a person is at high risk for certain diseases due to high amounts of fat on their body," he said. "It can also estimate what a person's ideal weight should be and help figure out the amount of calories it would take for that person to lose weight."

According to Mr. Johnson, the health risks associated with having excess body fat include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Byron Hardy, exercise physiologist with the HAWC said having high amounts of body fat can also hinder a person's ability to pass their physical training test.

"Having high amounts of fat in the abdominal region not only is a health risk but also a matter of passing or failing the abominable circumference measurement portion of the PT test," he said. "Also having high amounts of body fat may affect a person's aerobic fitness due to their inability to utilize oxygen, which results in a unsatisfactory aerobic component."

The cost of the Bod Pod ranges from about $40, 000 to $50, 000, but Mr. Johnson said its well worth it, because it's the most effective way to determine a person's body fat.

"It rates high in accuracy, speed, safety and can be used among a wide range of people including the elderly, obese, children or those with disabilities," he said. "It can also accommodate individuals up to seven feet tall and as large as 550 pounds. Other methods, such as skin fold caliper, bioelectric impedance and the bone density scanner have been proven to be much less accurate. The Bod Pod also has increased accuracy due to the easy testing process."

Though it might seem the Bod Pod is intended only for over-weight individuals, Mr. Johnson said the machine can be helpful to those who aren't already over weight as well. The Bod Pod can give individuals looking to gain weight the advantage of knowing exactly how many calories their body will burn at rest.

"Knowing how many calories your body will burn at rest is very important because knowing what your fat and fat free mass is will help you determine how many calories you need to take in, which in turn will help you meet your goal - whatever that might be."

Mr. Johnson said the process is quick and easy, and requires little work on the subject's part. Prior to the test, subjects will need to know their height only as weight measurement will be taken during the test. To ensure the most accurate reading, subjects will be tested in lycra or spandex form fitting clothing, which they should bring with them, and a swim cap which will be provided for them. If bras are worn, they must not contain any padding or wiring. No jewelry, socks, eyeglasses will be worn during the test, and cell phone use will be prohibited.

Additionally, Mr. Johnson said subjects should not eat or exercise within two hours of testing.

For more information or to schedule a test, call Mr. Johnson at 456-8046.