Muscle assessment using multi‐frequency bioimpedance in a healthy Danish population aged 20–69 years: a powerful non‐invasive tool in sports and in the clinic

Abstract

The condition of active muscles determines an individual′s ability to carry out daily activities and has implications for an athlete′s performance. Multi‐frequency bioimpedance (mf BIA ) is a non‐invasive, well‐known, validated, and much used method to assess muscle condition. However, it is rarely used to its full potential. Our aim was to apply mf BIA fully in the assessment of an adult healthy population, to compare muscle condition in different functional rested muscle groups, with age, and between men and women, and establish a control data set. Fifty healthy subjects (25 men/25 women) aged 20–69 years, participated. mf BIA measurements at a frequency range of 4–1000 kH z were taken from muscles of the lower and the upper extremities, the upper back, and the hand. Data were analyzed using ImpediMed software, giving Impedance, Resistance, Reactance, Phase Angle, Center Frequency, external and internal Resistance, and Membrane Capacitance. Differences between means were tested for statistical significance. A P value >0.05 was considered nonsignificant. While no difference in the mf BIA parameters was seen with age, a highly significant gender difference was seen. At rest, women′s muscles cf men's showed a significantly higher center frequency and intra‐ and extra‐cellular resistance, while the membrane capacitance was lower. A set of values for mf BIA parameters for healthy adult individuals are given for some of the main muscles which are frequently part of muscle assessment. The documented gender difference in muscle condition at rest has important implications in work situations, during physical rehabilitation and when training for competitive sports.

Probing cellular health at the muscle level—Multi‐frequency bioimpedance in Parkinson's disease

“…An earlier study by this group has already demonstrated, in a larger healthy adult population spanning 20–69 years in both males and females, that mfBIA parameters differ with gender (Bartels et al, 2019 ). For all the muscles measured in this study, we found, as expected, the gender difference for mfBIA parameters.…”

“…For all the muscles measured in this study, we found, as expected, the gender difference for mfBIA parameters. Likewise, this technique is not only non‐invasive, but it is also fast and has been shown over the years to be reliable and repeatable, and can be recommended for use in the clinic (Bartels et al, 2015 ; Bartels et al, 2019 ; Harrison et al, 2015 ; Nescolarde et al, 2013 ; Nescolarde et al, 2015 ).…”

“…A deeper understanding of general muscle health in PD may help design a more focused treatment for the individual patient. Multi‐frequency bioimpedance (mf‐BIA) is a non‐invasive and quick method to assess muscle condition (Bartels et al, 2015 ; Bartels et al, 2019 ; Harrison et al, 2015 ). mf‐BIA has been used recently to assess muscle health as well as cellular metabolism (Bartels et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Multi‐frequency bioimpedance (mf‐BIA) is a non‐invasive and quick method to assess muscle condition (Bartels et al, 2015 ; Bartels et al, 2019 ; Harrison et al, 2015 ). mf‐BIA has been used recently to assess muscle health as well as cellular metabolism (Bartels et al, 2019 ). It may therefore be a good diagnostic tool for regular assessment of PD patients, both in the clinic and during home visits.…”

Non-invasive methods to assess muscle function in dogs: A scoping review

“…Muscle activity can be evaluated by e.g., electromyography and acoustic myography (AMG), the latter also called mechanomyography ( 8 ). While muscle mass and tone may be estimated by simple palpation, objective information about mass and muscular health can be obtained from multi-frequency bio-impedance or ultrasound ( 9 , 10 ). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are other imaging methods available to evaluate muscles ( 11 , 12 ).…”