Bioimpedance Vector Patterns according to Age and Handgrip Strength in Adolescent Male and Female Athletes

Abstract

Bioelectric Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) can be used to qualitatively compare individuals’ hydration and cell mass independently of predictive equations. This study aimed to analyze the efficiency of BIVA considering chronological age and handgrip strength in adolescent athletes. A total of 273 adolescents (male; 59%) engaged in different sports were evaluated. Bioelectrical impedance (Z), resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle (PhA) were obtained using a single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Fat-free mass (FFM) and total body water were estimated using bioimpedance-based equations specific for adolescents. Female showed higher values of R (5.5%, p = 0.001), R/height (3.8%, p = 0.041), Z (5.3%, p = 0.001), and fat mass (53.9%, p = 0.001) than male adolescents. Male adolescents showed higher values of FFM (5.3%, p = 0.021) and PhA (3.1%, p = 0.033) than female adolescents. In both stratifications, adolescents (older > 13 y or stronger > median value) shifted to the left on the R-Xc graph, showing patterns of higher hydration and cell mass. The discrimination of subjects older than 13 years and having higher median of handgrip strength values was possibly due to maturity differences. This study showed that BIVA identified age and strength influence in vector displacement, assessing qualitative information and offering patterns of vector distribution in adolescent athletes.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)- Derived Phase Angle in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“…In adolescents only, Mathias‐Genoves (24) found that PhA increased from 13 to 14 years of age onwards in boys and from 11 to 12 yrs of age in girls. Similar results were reported in female (but not male) athletes (25), and in male soccer players (26), while Buffa et al (27). observed that PhA changed with sexual maturation in girls.…”

Age-, sex-, and maturity-associated variation in the phase angle after adjusting for size in adolescents

“…Available data consider mainly age-related variation in PhA in adolescents but do not control interindividual differences in the biological maturity status ( 13 , 26 , 47 – 49 ). Therefore, it appears reasonable to interpret that PhA is likely associated with increased cell mass with age ( 13 ).…”

“…Hence, pubertal growth changes and maturity-associated variation in body dimensions and composition likely influence the interpretation of PhA, particularly among adolescents around peak height velocity (PHV) age (23). However, data considering the influence of maturity status on PhA is limited and mostly based on samples of young athletes (24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Overall, the interpretation of maturity-related variation aligned with adolescents' chronological age, sex, and body size merits further study.…”

Growth, Somatic Maturation, and Their Impact on Physical Health and Sports Performance: An Editorial

“…Similarly, Penichet-Tomas et al [17] published anthropometric references for male and female traditional rowers. The effect of age on body composition was also evaluated by Cattem and colleagues [18] in male and female athletes, who Most of the papers published in this Special Issue focus on body composition, growth, and sports practice. In fact, body composition assessment is an important practice in sports management [22,23], given its numerous implications on the health and physical performance of youth subjects [24].…”

“…Similarly, Penichet-Tomas et al [17] published anthropometric references for male and female traditional rowers. The effect of age on body composition was also evaluated by Cattem and colleagues [18] in male and female athletes, who reported that subjects older than 13 years exhibited high fluid content and cell mass using qualitative and quantitative bioimpedance-based assessments. These data should be carefully considered in when developing training programs and talent selection procedures.…”