BCEPEM · Body Composition, Exercise Physiology, Energy Metabolism

Body Composition Lab

A Shared Resource within the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, providing accurate and precise measures of physiological biomarkers for research and self-assessment.

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Modalities

DXA Scan

Body composition, bone density, and visceral adipose tissue.

Bod Pod

Body composition and volume via air-displacement plethysmography.

3D Optical Scan

Full-body image with automatic circumference and length measurements.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Segmental lean and fat mass via safe, low-level electrical currents.

Muscle Dynamometer

Isokinetic, isometric, isotonic, and passive joint testing.

Choosing the right modality

Not all methods measure the same things, and the best choice depends on your goal. The table below summarizes what each modality measures, how precisely, and who it serves best. Hover any cell for a short note. If you are unsure, contact the lab and we will recommend the right fit before you book.

Measurement	DXA	Bod Pod	3DO	BIA	Dynamometer
Body composition
Total body fat %	●●●	●●	●	●●	—
Lean / muscle mass	●●●	●●	—	●●	—
Regional body composition	●●●	—	●●	●	—
Specialized measures
Bone mineral density	●●●	—	—	—	—
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT)	●●●	—	—	—	—
Body shape & silhouette	●	—	●●●	—	—
Metabolic rate (RMR / TEE)	—	●●●	—	—	—
Muscle strength & joint function	—	—	—	—	●●●
Practical considerations
Research-grade precision	●●●	●●	●●	●	●●●
Radiation exposure	Low dose	None	None	None	None
Typical session length	~10 min	~5 min	~5 min	~5 min	30–60 min
Preparation required	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal	Minimal	Brief warm-up
Best suited for
Personal health monitoring	●●●	●●●	●●	●●	●●
Research & clinical trials	●●●	●●	●●	●	●●●