Bioimpedance phase angle in elite male athletes: a segmental approach

Abstract

Objective: Phase angle (PA), a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameter, has proven to be a proxy of body cell mass in athletes, but very few data are available on its segmental evaluation (upper and lower limbs). Therefore, we aimed to assess whether whole-body and segmental PA varied among elite male athletes of different sports and compared these to control groups. Additionally, we investigated its relationship with anthropometric and body composition parameters. Approach: Elite athletes practicing cycling, water polo and ballet dance aged 18–40 years underwent anthropometric and BIA measurements. PA (whole-body and upper and lower limbs) was considered as raw BIA variable. Data were also compared with healthy subjects with similar characteristics who served as control groups. Main results: Participants included three groups of male athletes: 18 cyclists (age 28.6 ± 3.4 years; weight 70.6 ± 5.4 kg; BMI 21.5 ± 1.4 kg m2), 20 water polo players (age 23.9 ± 4 years; weight 89.0 ± 5.2 kg; BMI 25.9 ± 1.9 kg m2) and 18 ballet dancers (age 19.2 ± 1.3 years; weight 63.3 ± 5.8 kg; BMI 20.8 ± 1.0 kg m2) and three groups of healthy control subjects each of which similar for general characteristics (one to one) to the previous ones. Both whole-body and limb PAs were significantly higher in athletes compared to their respective controls, whereas no differences were found among sport groups. PA was positively correlated with BMI and fat-free mass (FFM) more in athletes than in controls and FFM was the main determinant. Significance: PA may represent a useful proxy parameter of soft tissue mass quality, directly related to physical activity level. Furthermore, the direct evaluation of segmental PA among athletes practicing different sports may be useful for assessing and monitoring the differences among athletes and changes due to training.

Association of Regional Bioelectrical Phase Angle with Physical Performance: a Pilot Study in Elite Rowers

“…However, as shown by Silva et al (31), there is a lack of agreement between the bioimpedance parameters measured with different devices. Therefore, the BIA-data presented in this study may not be comparable with those of Marra et al (30) where R and Xc were obtained using a multifrequency device. Our athletes were plotted on reference ellipses created starting from measurements made with the same frequency and method of measurement.…”

Segmental Phase Angle and Body Composition Fluctuation of Elite Ski Jumpers between Summer and Winter FIS Competitions

“…In constitutionally lean people and ballet dancers, despite lower BMI, phase angle is not decreased. The explanation of this fact is body composition—less fat and more muscle mass as a result of workout [ 43 , 59 ]. For ski jumpers who practice lower BMI simultaneously with a lower percentage of body fat, the same tendency may be expected.…”

“…Among trained athletes, this value rises and may reach the 8.5° [ 18 , 39 ] to 9.5° [ 40 ] range. A large variability in the whole-body PhA values is observed for the same sport and between various sports [ 41 , 42 ], but the availability of data concerning the assessment of segmental PhA is still limited [ 43 ]. Segmental (five compartments: trunk, lower and upper limbs) evaluation could be useful for monitoring the condition of the athlete preparing for a competition and for assessing differences among athletes [ 15 , 44 ].…”

Resting Energy Expenditure in Elite Athletes: Development of New Predictive Equations Based on Anthropometric Variables and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Derived Phase Angle

“…more body cell mass relative to FFM), cellular integrity and cell functions [28]. It may represent a proxy parameter of muscle quality in athletes, being signi cantly associated with physical activity and muscle strength [29,30]. A recent systematic review showed that PhA was higher in athletes vs controls whereas it was still uncertain to what extent PhA differs among various sports [31].…”