How is muscle mass calculated?

The calculation of body composition by Terraillon impedance meters evaluates skeletal muscle mass.

Skeletal muscles are those that enable us, among other things, to move, stand, walk, etc. They are directly related to physical activity in the sense that regular training helps to develop or maintain them.

This muscle mass parameter is important to monitor. For example, in the case of a weight-loss diet, it is useful to check that weight loss is not at the expense of muscle mass.

Muscle mass is not the subject of norms or standards in our documentation, as this parameter depends very much on the morphology of each individual and his or her physical activity.

However, the literature indicates an order of magnitude of 35% for men and 28% for women. These figures are, of course, indicative.

Finally, other manufacturers include the totality of muscles (smooth, skeletal and cardiac) in their estimates of muscle mass.

Smooth muscles surround most of our organs and vessels (e.g. digestive system). These muscles function totally unconsciously.

This category of muscle is not relevant to physical activity and is therefore not measured by our impedance meters.

This explains why manufacturers may differ in their interpretation of muscle mass.