A useful report conversation starts with three details: the exact measurement, the units and the reason the scan was performed. Keep those details beside the number as you read. The reference material below explains how published comparisons work; it cannot decide whether your individual result needs treatment.
If your report uses a different scanner, region or reference population, ask the clinic which comparison applies. Avoid substituting a convenient online table just because the units look similar. Discuss bone density or visceral fat findings with your GP.
Read the measurement
Lean soft tissue includes water, organs and muscle. ALMI focuses on lean tissue in the arms and legs relative to height; it is one measurement, not a test of strength.
| Measure | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Appendicular mass (ASM) | <20 kg | <15 kg |
| ASM / height² | <7.0 kg/m² | <5.5 kg/m² |
| Grip strength (not measured by DEXA) | <27 kg | <16 kg |
Keep the compartments separate
Total lean tissue is not the same thing as total muscle. DEXA separates estimated fat, lean soft tissue and bone mineral compartments. A result labelled lean plus BMC combines two of those compartments. Before comparing reports, check whether the bone mineral component is included in each number.
Appendicular means the arms and legs. Appendicular lean mass is the combined lean soft tissue in those regions. Research may use the term appendicular skeletal muscle mass for this DEXA-derived estimate, but the scanner does not directly isolate every muscle fibre. Region boundaries and positioning affect the analysis.
Calculate the index
ALMI divides appendicular lean mass in kilograms by height in metres squared. Our invented example uses 17.6 kg and 1.68 m: 17.6 ÷ 1.68² is about 6.24 kg/m², displayed as 6.2. This is separate from the example’s total lean tissue value of 41.0 kg.
If your report uses a different abbreviation, check the definition. Some indices divide by BMI rather than height squared. Values using different denominators cannot be read against the same cut-point. Keep the original units and formula in your tracking notes.
What the research cut-points mean
EWGSOP2 is a European consensus on sarcopenia, primarily concerned with older people. Its approach puts low strength at the centre of assessment; low muscle quantity or quality helps confirm the condition, and physical performance informs severity. A scan number alone does not complete that assessment.
The table below shows the consensus cut-points. They are not athlete reference ranges and were not designed to classify a healthy young adult’s training progress. A 25-year-old with an ALMI of 7.5 is not “nearly sarcopenic” on the basis of that value. Equally, a value above a listed boundary does not prove that strength or function is normal.
What changes lean tissue readings
Fluid balance and stored carbohydrate can influence measured lean tissue. Food, drink, exercise and recent illness can make repeat conditions less comparable. This is why a short-term increase should not automatically be described as kilograms of new muscle.
For training follow-up, record preparation and ask for the clinic’s precision assessment. At an illustrative 2% precision on 50 kg lean tissue, the 95% least significant change calculation is 2.77 kg. That is not a universal scanner limit. Use the clinic’s own measured LSC when available.
Discuss the scan alongside strength, recovery, daily function and the training programme. Nutrition and resistance exercise are topics a practitioner may discuss, but the report alone cannot prescribe protein intake, loading or a rescan date. Choose a repeat test only when the result is likely to influence a decision.
Questions for your practitioner
- Does this lean value include bone mineral?
- Which ALMI definition and reference have been used?
- How do strength and function compare with the scan findings?
Sources checked 23 September 2026: Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3. New reference material prepared by DEXA Scans Australia; not included in Kristof’s earlier review.
Is the change larger than measurement variation?
Use the same measure, units, scanner and comparable preparation. The 2% starting value is an educational lean-mass example, not your clinic’s measured precision. For fat mass, the ISCD minimum acceptable precision example is 3%. Replace this with the clinic’s own precision or ask for its LSC directly.
Enter positive values to calculate an illustrative threshold.
This approximation converts relative precision using the first value. An exceeded threshold is not proof of muscle gain, fat loss or a clinically important change. Hydration and protocol differences still matter. Values stay in your browser.
Source: ISCD precision assessmentCommon questions about results
What is a good body fat percentage on a DEXA scan?
There is no single percentage that suits everyone. Published tables describe a reference population, not a target. Check the scanner, age group and sex group, then discuss the result alongside your health, strength, nutrition and reason for testing.
Why is my DEXA percentage different from my smart scale?
DEXA and bioimpedance scales estimate body compartments using different measurements and assumptions. Hydration and preparation can also affect comparisons. Neither an automatic correction factor nor combining both methods into one trend is reliable.
What does ALMI mean?
Appendicular lean mass index is arm and leg lean tissue divided by height in metres squared. It is one measure of muscle quantity. It does not measure strength and cannot diagnose sarcopenia by itself.
Is a Z-score of -1 bad?
ISCD describes adult Z-scores above -2.0 as within the expected range for age. That wording is a reference comparison, not a complete assessment of bone health. Ask your GP about the scan site, report conclusion and your medical history.
How often should I have another scan?
Agree on an interval that answers a useful clinical or training question. The reason for testing, expected change, scanner precision and whether the scan is for bone density or body composition all matter. There is no universal schedule for everyone.
Does lean mass mean muscle mass?
No. Lean soft tissue includes water and organs as well as muscle. Bone mineral content is reported separately. A change in lean tissue can reflect more than a change in muscle.
Can I compare results from GE and Hologic?
Do not treat values from different scanner families as interchangeable. Software, calibration, region definitions and reference databases differ. Ask the clinic whether a meaningful comparison is possible before interpreting a change.
Does a whole-body scan diagnose osteoporosis?
A body composition scan is not a substitute for a diagnostic bone density assessment at appropriate sites. Your GP or specialist interprets bone health findings alongside age, menopause status, fracture history and other relevant information.
How do I know if a change is larger than measurement variation?
Ask the clinic for its least significant change for the measurement. At 95% confidence, the usual calculation is 2.77 times measured precision error. Our calculator is an illustration and cannot replace the clinic’s precision assessment or confirm why a number changed.
Keep the result useful
Save the original report, including its scanner details and reference notes. At a later appointment, bring the earlier copy rather than relying on a rounded value entered in an app. Ask whether preparation, positioning and software were comparable, and whether the change is large enough to influence the decision you are making.
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