Association between Phase Angle from Bioelectric Impedance and Muscular Strength and Power in Physically Active Adults

Abstract

This study aimed to compare muscle strength and power indicators according to bioimpedance spectroscopy’s phase angle (PhA) values, in resistance-trained (RT) men, while exploring associations between PhA and performance. Forty-four men aged 18–45 years, engaged in RT, were allocated according to PhA tertiles. Lean soft tissue (LST) and fat mass (%FM) were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; dynamic muscle strength using 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of bench press (BP) and back squat (BS) and muscle power using Wingate test (WT) and countermovement jump (CMJ). For WT and CMJ, the 3rd tertile was significantly higher than the 1st tertile (p = 0.027 and p = 0.018, respectively). Regarding BP 1RM, the 3rd tertile was significantly higher than the 2nd tertile (p = 0.037). LST better explained the variability in the WT, BS and BP (p =< 0.001), while %FM better accounted for jump height in CMJ (p =< 0.001). PhA was a predictor of performance in both CMJ (p = 0.040) and BP (p = 0.012), independently of LST and %FM. Participants with higher PhA also displayed superior muscle strength of the upper limbs and greater muscle power of the lower limbs. PhA displayed significant moderate associations with performance in CMJ and BP, even after controlling for body composition. Still, LST was the most important predictor of muscle strength and power.

Body composition variations between injured and non-injured professional soccer players

“…Although no substantial differences were observed in our study for body composition variables between injured and non-injured players, it is still crucial to emphasize the importance of monitoring those variables across the season. Indeed, the literature has pointed out body composition, particularly BF% 16 , SMM 22 , and phase angle 23 as a crucial component in enhancing physical capacities. The detrimental effect of BF% on jumping, sprinting, and change of direction tasks has been described in several sports contexts 24,25 .…”

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle is associated with physical performance before but not after simulated multi‐stressor military operations

“…However, when decreases in R are accompanied by proportionally greater decreases in Xc, as observed in the current study (R Whole : −6.5%; Xc Whole : −11.4%), the bioelectrical impedance vector is shifted, resulting in a decrease in PhA (Campa, Colognesi, et al, 2022 ) (Figure 1 ). Previous studies report that low PhA is associated with loss of lean body mass, muscle strength, and quality of life, as well as malnutrition, alcoholism, aging, cancer/cachexia, frailty, and mortality, among others (Cardinal et al, 2010 ; Fukuoka et al, 2022 ; Genton et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Gupta et al, 2008 ; Lukaski et al, 2017 ; Nescolarde et al, 2013 ; Tanaka et al, 2019 ; Toso et al, 2000 ). Within that context, the reductions in R, Xc, Z, and PhA observed in the current investigation likely indicate an inability of cells to store energy, body cell mass loss, inflammation, cellular membrane disruption, and negative energy balance.…”

“…PhA in the human body typically ranges from 1° to 12° (Sardinha & Rosa, 2023 ), and higher values within this range are positively associated with muscle strength and physical function (Cioffi et al, 2020 ; Custodio Martins et al, 2022 ; Fukuoka et al, 2022 ; Giorgi et al, 2018 ; Langer et al, 2022 ; Micheli et al, 2014 ; Norman et al, 2011 ; Piccoli et al, 2007 ; Rodriguez‐Rodriguez et al, 2016 ; Sato et al, 2020 ). Increases in PhA have been reported following resistance training programs and concurrent exercise training (Campa, Colognesi, et al, 2022 ; Sardinha & Rosa, 2023 ).…”

“…Increases in PhA have been reported following resistance training programs and concurrent exercise training (Campa, Colognesi, et al, 2022 ; Sardinha & Rosa, 2023 ). Alternatively, low PhA has been reported in individuals presentingmalnutrition, alcoholism, cancer/cachexia, HIV, sarcopenia, and in older adults (Cardinal et al, 2010 ; Fukuoka et al, 2022 ; Genton et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Gupta et al, 2008 ; Lukaski et al, 2017 ; Nescolarde et al, 2013 ; Tanaka et al, 2019 ; Toso et al, 2000 ). Taken together, low PhA is generally indicative of diminished cellular membrane integrity, physical fitness, and overall health, whereas high PhA indicates improved cellular function, strength, and quality of life (Custodio Martins et al, 2022 ; Lukaski et al, 2017 ; Norman et al, 2012 ).…”

“…impedance, reactance, resistance, strength, testosterone Despite the potential for PhA to elucidate the underlying causes of performance decline, previous research using this metric of muscle quality has been limited to examining relationships between PhA and physical performance in cross-sectional studies (Fukuoka et al, 2022;Giorgi et al, 2018;Langer et al, 2022;Micheli et al, 2014;Norman et al, 2011;Piccoli et al, 2007;Rodriguez-Rodriguez et al, 2016;Sato et al, 2020) or following longitudinal exercise training programs (Fukuda et al, 2016;Nunes et al, 2019;Ribeiro et al, 2017;Souza et al, 2017). Research in healthy, male Army cadets reports a positive relationship between PhA and handgrip strength (Langer et al, 2022); however, whether this relationship still exists following sustained military operations has not yet been explored.…”