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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

(height fractions rounded up to nearest whole inch)

Men Maximum Weight (pounds) Member’s Height (Inches) 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:

Neck CircumferenceMen

Women

The weight and circumference measures are used to calculate a measure of percent body fat (see %bodyfat from girths). 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.

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


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