What is the accuracy of hydrostatic weighing when using the appropriate technique?

Hydrostatic weighing is considered one of the most accurate methods for assessing body composition, particularly for measuring body fat percentage. When conducted with the appropriate technique, it utilizes the principle of buoyancy, measuring the difference between a person's weight on land and underwater to estimate body density. This density can then be used to calculate body fat percentage accurately.

This method is especially reliable because it accounts for the density of fat and lean tissue, providing a clear distinction between these two tissue types. While dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is also an extremely accurate method, hydrostatic weighing offers a comparable level of precision, making it second only to DXA for accuracy in assessing body composition.

The other options do not accurately represent the capabilities of hydrostatic weighing. While it can be effective for individuals across a range of body compositions, stating it is the least accurate, most effective for high body fat individuals, or that it requires no special formulas misrepresents its strengths and methodology. Hydrostatic weighing requires careful execution and sometimes depends on specific formulas to ensure accurate adjustments based on individual variables.