{"id":3119,"date":"2026-05-04T12:15:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energy.golazo.com\/sportslab\/?p=3119"},"modified":"2026-05-29T18:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T16:53:07","slug":"een-dexa-scan-wat-meet-het-nu-echt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energy.golazo.com\/sportslab\/en\/een-dexa-scan-wat-meet-het-nu-echt\/","title":{"rendered":"What does a DEXA scan really measure?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What does a DEXA scan really measure?<\/h1>\n

You\u2019re hearing more and more about DEXA scans, often in the same breath as body fat percentage or muscle mass. But is that all there is to it?<\/p>\n

Look a little closer and you\u2019ll quickly realise that a DEXA scan offers much more than a snapshot of your body fat and muscle mass. It provides a comprehensive picture of how your body is built and functioning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this blog, we answer the most common questions about DEXA scans, so you know exactly what to expect.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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What is a DEXA scan?<\/h3>\n

DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry<\/strong>. It\u2019s a body composition assessment that uses low-dose X-rays to provide a detailed picture of your body<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The scan clearly distinguishes between bone and soft tissue, giving you a complete overview of your body composition. This includes body fat, lean mass, bone density, body fat distribution and even your resting metabolic rate.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where one of the biggest misconceptions comes in: a DEXA scan isn\u2019t just about body fat and muscle mass<\/strong>. It offers a much broader understanding of how your body is put together.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no coincidence that DEXA is considered the gold standard for measuring body composition<\/strong>, whether you\u2019re an athlete looking to optimise performance or simply someone who wants to gain a better understanding of their health.<\/p>\n

Think of it as an inside look at your body, helping you understand what\u2019s happening beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Why is bone density important?<\/h3>\n

Your bones are the foundation of every movement you make, yet most of us rarely think about them.
\nA DEXA scan measures your bone density, an indicator of how strong and healthy your bones are<\/strong>. While bone health often becomes a focus later in life, it\u2019s something worth paying attention to at any age.<\/p>\n

There are several situations where bone density can play an important role<\/strong>:<\/p>\n