SUMMARY:

It is important to recognize that air-displacement plethysmography can be a practical instrument in the evaluation of body composition in a wide range of populations. Therefore, based on the body of literature that has emerged, air-displacement plethysmography appears to be a suitable and reliable instrument in the assessment of body composition. Of particular interest is its use in pediatric and obese individuals, areas requiring further study. Research is also needed to help us better understand sources of measurement error.