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Body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity

Lack of agreement of in vivo raw bioimpedance measurements obtained from two single and multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance devices

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 1077–1083 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

It is important for highly active individuals to accurately assess their hydration level. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) can potentially meet these needs but its validity in active individuals is not well established.

Methods

We compared whole-body bioimpedance measurements obtained from multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS, Xitron 4200) at a 50 kHz frequency with those determined by a phase-sensitive single-frequency device (SF-BIA, BIA-101, RJL/Akern Systems) in two populations: active adults and elite athletes.

Results

One hundred twenty-six participants, including active males involved in recreational sports (N = 25, 20–39 yr) and elite athletes (females: N = 26, 18–35 yr; males: N = 75, 18–38 yr) participated in this study. Reactance (Xc), Resistance (R), Impedance (Z), and phase angle (PhA) were obtained by BIS and SF-BIA. Small but significant differences (R: −9.91 ± 15.09 Ω; Xc: −0.97 ± 2.56 Ω; Z: −9.96 ± 15.18 Ω; PhA: 0.12 ± 0.2°) were observed between the bioimpedance equipment in all measured variables (p < 0.05) though differences were within the devices’ technical error of measurements. Device-specific values were highly (p < 0.0001) correlated [R2 ranged from 0.881 (Xc) to 0.833 (R)], but slopes and intercepts were different (p < 0.0001) from 1 and 0, respectively. Relatively large limits of agreement were observed for R (−40 to 21 Ω), Xc (−6 to 4 Ω), PhA (−0.4 to 0.5°), and impedance (−40 to 20 Ω).

Conclusion:

Bioimpedance measurements from the current single- and multi-frequency devices should not be used interchangeably. The of lack of agreement between devices was observed in determining individual values of R, Xc, Z and PhA of highly active populations possibly due to methodological and biological factors.

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Acknowledgements

We express our gratitude to all the participants involved in this study.

Author contributions

AMS conceptualize and designed the study. DAS, CNM and CLN acquired the data, performed the data analysis and interpretation. EM, HL and LBS revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. All authors contributed to the final approval of the version to be submitted.

Funding

This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Grant: PTDC/DES/69495/2006 and PTDC/DES/098963/2008) and by European Hydration Institute. DAS is supported by a scholarship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant: SFRH/BPD/92462/2013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade Motricidade Humana, Universidade Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

    Analiza M. Silva, Catarina N. Matias, Catarina L. Nunes, Diana A. Santos & Luís B. Sardinha

  2. Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Cagliari, via Università, 40, 09124, Cagliari, Italy

    Elisabetta Marini

  3. Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Education, Hyslop Sports Center, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 58202, ND, USA

    Henry C. Lukaski

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  1. Analiza M. Silva
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Correspondence to Analiza M. Silva.

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Silva, A.M., Matias, C.N., Nunes, C.L. et al. Lack of agreement of in vivo raw bioimpedance measurements obtained from two single and multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance devices. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 1077–1083 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0355-z

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