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Comparison of three segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance techniques in healthy adults
Katharina Mally1, Manuela Dittmar
1Department of Human Biology, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University , Am-Botanischen-Garten-9, Kiel, Germany.
Background:
The analysis of segmental or limb bioimpedance has gained importance in human population biology. However, standardized measurement techniques are needed.
Aim:
This study compared three techniques for segmental analysis (T1, conventional electrode measurement; T2, use of a novel additional switching unit; T3, equipotentials instead of switching unit) which are often used in population biology.
Subjects And Methods:
The techniques were compared in 124 healthy adults (19-83 years) using a tetrapolar bioimpedance analyser (Nutriguard-M) at multiple frequencies (5, 50, 100 kHz) to gain whole-body and segmental resistances, reactances and phase angles.
Results:
Repeated measures ANOVA yielded a significant technique effect for most variables (26/27), a significant interaction technique × sex for half (13/27), and a significant interaction technique × age for a quarter (7/27) of variables.
Conclusions:
Differences exist between the three techniques which are primarily caused by inconsistent current pathways. A comparison with literature data showed that, in addition, subject's posture during measurement, electrode contact and electrode site may lead to inconsistent resistance and reactance values. This makes comparisons between different populations difficult. Therefore, this study recommends generally using the T2 technique which is standardized, easy to use and, thereby, well suited for field studies in large population groups.
