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Bioelectrical impedance analysis as a laboratory activity: At the interface of physics and the body

We present a novel laboratory activity on RC circuits aimed at introductory physics students in life-science majors. The activity teaches principles of RC circuits by connecting ac-circuit concepts to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using a custom-designed educational BIA device. The activity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physics 2014-05, Vol.82 (5), p.521-528
Main Authors: Mylott, Elliot, Kutschera, Ellynne, Widenhorn, Ralf
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We present a novel laboratory activity on RC circuits aimed at introductory physics students in life-science majors. The activity teaches principles of RC circuits by connecting ac-circuit concepts to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using a custom-designed educational BIA device. The activity shows how a BIA device works and how current, voltage, and impedance measurements relate to bioelectrical characteristics of the human body. From this, useful observations can be made including body water, fat-free mass, and body fat percentage. The laboratory is engaging to pre-health and life-science students, as well as engineering students who are given the opportunity to observe electrical components and construction of a commonly used biomedical device. Electrical concepts investigated include alternating current, electrical potential, resistance, capacitance, impedance, frequency, phase shift, device design, and the use of such topics in biomedical analysis.
ISSN:0002-9505
1943-2909
DOI:10.1119/1.4866276