Specific Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis Identifies Body Fat Reduction after a Lifestyle Intervention in Former Elite Athletes

Abstract

Background: specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) has been proposed as an alternative bioimpedance method for evaluating body composition. This investigation aimed to verify the ability of specific BIVA in identifying changes in fat mass after a 16-week lifestyle program in former athletes. Methods: The 94 participants included in the Champ4life project (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03031951) were randomized into intervention (n = 49) and control (n = 45) groups, from which 82 athletes completed the intervention (age 43.9 ± 9.2 y; body mass index 31.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2). Fat mass was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bioelectric resistance, reactance, phase angle, and vector length were assessed by bioelectric impedance spectroscopy, and the BIVA procedure was applied. Results: A significant (p < 0.05) group x time interaction for fat mass, specific resistance, reactance, and vector length was found. Fat mass and vector length significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the intervention group, while no change was measured in the control group. Considering the participants as a whole group, changes in vector length were associated with changes in fat mass percentage (r2 = 0.246; β = 0.33; p < 0.001) even after adjusting for age, sex, and group (R2 = 0.373; β = 0.23; p = 0.002). Conclusions: The specific BIVA approach is suitable to track fat mass changes during an intervention program aimed to reduce body fat in former athletes.

Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Body Composition and Bioelectrical Phase Angle in Serie A Soccer Players: A Comparison of Two Consecutive Seasons

“…The combined evaluation of R and Xc as a vector within a graph results in a qualitative evaluation of body composition, defined as bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) [ 19 ]. In BIVA, the position of the vector is interpreted in relation to its lateral and vertical displacements, which are reflected by phase angle (PhA) and vector length, respectively [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Several studies on soccer players have shown that PhA is related to sprint performance [ 11 , 12 ] and that BIVA patterns allow for the evaluation of nutritional status and physical condition during the competitive season [ 13 , 21 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis of Young Elite Team Handball Players

“…This study provides BIA data of an elite sample of young male and female handball players, which may help determine target regions of bioelectrical impedance vectors for young handball players. As a result, trainers can plan specific training programs to induce appropriate vector migration [ 21 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…BIVA interpolates R and Xc, standardized for the subject height, on the RXc graph as a single vector, to assess soft tissues and body fluids. This qualitative analysis allows comparison of the position of the vector to the tolerance ellipses (representing the population reference values) and to study its displacements by collecting multiple measurements (e.g., during a season [ 24 ], after exercising [ 25 ], or over an intervention program [ 26 ]). Vector elongation or shortening over time represent decreases or increases in hydration, while lateral displacement to the left or the right reflect gains or losses in the soft tissues, respectively [ 23 ].…”