New tools on display at HAWC open house

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Health and Wellness Center will host an Open House event Jan. 20 from 8 a.m. to noon to show off many recent innovations and upgrades.

The newest addition within its facilities is called the "Human Performance Testing Lab."

This testing lab allows HAWC employees to provide assessments to improve fitness performance and allow better tracking of body composition, according to Marilyn Leggett, civilian health promotion services.

The testing lab contains a new "Bod Pod", Medical Motion Gait Analysis System and I-Step foot scanner.

"The Bod Pod allows us to determine someone's body composition to include body fat percentage, lean body mass, resting metabolic rate and total energy expenditure," said Alison DeCaro, HAWC flight chief.

For example, individuals can learn their lean body mass as their fitness goal may be to achieve a more muscular body. For people wanting to make changes in their weight, the assessment helps them monitor their fat loss and ensure they are not losing muscle mass.

Another new feature is the Medical Motion Gait Analysis System. It assesses a person's running form and technique.

For example, someone may lean to far forward while running or have incorrect posture; this can help them to improve their form which will improve efficiency of their energy expenditure and reduce the risk of injury from poor technique, according to Mrs. DeCaro.

The new Atrex I-Step foot scanner has also been installed, which replaces the wet-foot test.

One thing it does is give a much better visual of the foot which can help to determine proper footwear and even a more accurate measure of a person's true foot size, according to Mrs. DeCaro.

"Something as simple as wearing running shoes too small or the wrong type of shoes can negatively impact a person's ability to run effectively," said Mrs. DeCaro.

The HAWC is open to everyone with access to the base. It is located on the second floor of building 843.