Inter-Device Reliability of the BodPod for Clinical and Research Use

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Date

2010-06

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) by the BodPod device is an increasingly popular instrument for determining body composition for both clinical and research applications. Despite previous studies, the reliability of ADP devices remains controversial and few studies testing inter-laboratory measurements exist. At our institution, we have the unique opportunity to have three BodPod devices located in individual laboratories providing the opportunity to investigate this reliability. The purpose of the study was to test the reliability of inter-device ADP measurements of body composition by the BodPod. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of twenty-one young women ages 18-30 years old. This cross-sectional study examined the inter-laboratory reliability of body fat estimates by performing successive measurements using BodPods in each of three campus laboratories on the same day within a two hour period. A counterbalance design was used to determine the location order of measurements. The inter-laboratory reproducibility of body fat was determined in order to examine whether the results from each of these three devices can be used interchangeably for clinical and research applications. The study also measured relative humidity and room temperature for each session to analyze the possible influence on error between measures. Two of the three BodPods yielded similar results, while the third BodPod was +1.7-1.8% different in body fat. The conclusion of the study was that the BodPod needs to be in a stable environment for reliable measures, and it suggested that clients use a single device for serial measures.

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bodpod, ADP, inter-device reliability

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