The Definition Of Lean Body Mass

Lean body mass is the weight of a person's body that isn't fat. This includes muscle as well as bones and other nonfat tissue. A change in your lean body mass can dramatically affect your appearance, even if your total body weight doesn't change. You can estimate your lean body mass using several methods.

Healthy Ranges for Females

The healthy range for lean body mass depends on age and gender. Females should generally have a lean body mass between 79 and 86 percent of their total body mass. Females between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age should have a lean body mass between 77 and 85 percent of their total body mass. Females older than 50 years of age should have a lean body mass between 75 and 84 percent of their total body mass.

Healthy Ranges for Males

Males should generally have a lean body mass between 85 and 91 percent of their total body mass. Males between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age should have a lean body mass between 83 and 89 percent of their total body mass. Males older than 50 years of age should have a lean body mass between 81 and 88 percent of their total body mass.

Tape Measurements

The most convenient method of estimating lean body mass is to measure the circumference of the body at various locations. These measurements can then be entered into standard formulas to estimate the lean body mass. Males need to measure only their waist, while females will need to measure the diameter of their wrist, waist, hips and forearm, according to davedraper.com.

Calipers

Calipers are a more accurate way of measuring lean body mass than tape measurements. They are used to measure the subcutaneous fat in various places on the body such as the arms, thighs and buttocks. These measurements are then entered into a formula along with other factors to estimate the lean body mass. Caliper measurements should be able to estimate the lean body mass to within four percentage points.

Plethysmography

Plethysmography is a more accurate method of measuring lean body mass, although it requires special equipment. The subject enters a sealed chamber that measures the volume of the subject's body. The volume and weight of the subject's body may then be used to calculate the lean body mass from standard formulas.