Due to the business of the modern world, people sometimes have a hard time quantifying how well they are eating or how much they are exercising, and days can blur together. The objective measurements found in Hoag Executive Health’s state-of-the-art exercise physiology labs help bring clarity to where patients are, and where they need to go.
Exercise Physiology Testing Review
With four fully equipped exercise testing labs, our exercise science team has plenty of tools available to gain valuable data and measurements for our members. Two of the most common tests that are performed are the Inbody body composition analysis and a digital posture screen.
Inbody body composition analysis
With many people dealing with medical conditions that are associated with weight control (Diabetes, Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia), measurement of body composition is an accurate means of assessing degrees of obesity. The PBF analysis is a measure of the percentage of your total weight that is not muscle, bone or excess fluid.
The method used in the analysis is bioelectrical impedance testing, a method which allows our team to track not only overall weight loss, but specifically what type of weight is lost.
This measurement also indicates the amount of skeletal muscle mass you have in your body in relation to your overall weight. It is normal to lose muscle mass with age, but accelerated loss, called sarcopenia, can be problematic for daily functioning and metabolic maintenance, especially with the elderly or others facing progressive muscle loss.
Digital Posture Screening
Forward head posture is a poor habitual neck posture, defined by hyperextension of the upper cervical vertebrae and forward translation of the cervical vertebrae. This increases the estimated weight of the head and compressive forces through the neck joints and adds to muscle tension, neck and back pain. Many members may find themselves in sedentary positions for long periods of time (desk work, frequent travel), which only increases this issue.
Measurement of CVA (craniovertebral angle) is one of the common scientific methods in assessing head posture. CVA is identified as the intersection of a horizontal line passing through the C7 spinous process and a line joining the midpoint of the tragus of the ear to the skin overlying the C7 spinous process. This angle has been associated with not only cervical neck pain, but also respiratory conditions like sleep apnea.
Informed Recommendations
Our experts use the findings from these screenings to inform their recommendations, like specific exercises and stretches to correct posture. Giving people objective pictures that show that their posture is off can drive compliance with stretching and exercise, which are key components to maintaining good physical health.
Discover how Hoag Executive Health can get you where you need to go today!
