Total Body Electrical Conductivity (TOBEC) is a very accurate noninvasive body composition assessment method, which requires the subject lies in a cylinder that generates a very weak electromagnetic field.

equipment required: TOBEC device

method: TOBEC is based on lean tissue being a better conductor of electricity than fat.

procedure: The subject lies in a cylinder that generates a very weak electromagnetic field. The strength of the field depends on the electrolytes found in the person's body water. In about 10 seconds, TOBEC makes 10 conductivity readings that estimate lean body mass.

advantages: very accurate noninvasive method for body composition analysis

disadvantages: the equipment required to conduct this test is costly.