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Navy Body Composition Assessment (BCA)

A body composition assessment is part of the testing of US Navy personnel. The official body composition assessment (BCA) must be performed within the required window of 24 hrs (minimum) to 30 hours (maximum) prior to the Physical Readiness Test (PRT). Only those who fail the initial weight for height screening test are required to undergo the percent body fat assessment.

Maximum weight for height screening

The first assessment is the maximum weight for height screening. Standing Height and Body Weight is measured. The weight is recorded (to nearest whole pound) in PT-type clothing (shorts, T-shirt) without
shoes, then a one pound deduction is made for clothing. These values are used to determine the maximum weight for height using the table below. In the center column, find smallest value equal to or exceeding member’s height. If member's weight is less than or equal to the maximum weight listed for their gender, members are within body composition assessment standards, and the percentage body fat determination is not required.

MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR HEIGHT SCREENING TABLE
Maximum Weight in Pounds

Men Maximum Weight (pounds)	Member’s Height (Inches) (fractions rounded up to nearest whole inch)	Women Maximum Weight (pounds)
97	51	102
102	52	106
107	53	110
112	54	114
117	55	118
122	56	123
127	57	127
131	58	131
136	59	136
141	60	141
145	61	145
150	62	149
155	63	152
160	64	156
165	65	160
170	66	163
175	67	167
181	68	170
186	69	174
191	70	177
196	71	181
201	72	185
206	73	189
211	74	194
216	75	200
221	76	205
226	77	211
231	78	216
236	79	222
241	80	227
246	81	233
251	82	239
256	83	245
261	84	251
266	85	257
271	86	263

Body Fat Percentage Assessment

Only those failing the above weight for height screening test are required to undertake the body fat % assessment. This calculation incorporates the measurement of body weight (the measure from the weight for height assessment is to be used), and several circumference measures to determine body fat percentage. The circumference measurements used in the calculation of % bodyfat are:

Men

• standing height
• neck circumference
• abdominal circumference

Women

• standing height
• neck circumference
• natural waist circumference
• hip circumference.
  

	Age (years)
	17-39	40-40+
Male	22%	23%
Female	33%	34%

The weight and circumference measures are used to calculate a measure of percent body fat. This table shows the age-adjusted maximum allowable Navy body fat percentages. These are maximum levels, most personnel should have a significantly lower percentage of body fat.

Related Pages

• About the Navy PRT
• Navy Fitness Testing around the world.
• Testing in other armed forces and similar services.
• Descriptions of the NAVY PRT test procedures:
  • sit & reach, curl-ups, push-ups, run/walk, elliptical trainer and swim.
• videos of forces fitness testing