Bioelectrical impedance phase angle in sport: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Human Physiology
• Body Composition Analysis

Background:

• Phase angle (PhA) is a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) variable reflecting cellular integrity and fluid balance.
• It is increasingly recognized as a potential indicator of body cell mass and cellular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the variability of PhA across different sports.
• To examine the relationship between PhA and sport performance.
• To investigate PhA differences based on gender, age, and athlete status.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to June 2019.
• Inclusion of studies on athletes in planned, continuous, competitive, or elite sports.
• Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data from 35 selected papers.

Main Results:

• Athletes generally exhibit higher PhA compared to non-athletes (controls).
• PhA tends to increase with age and may be higher in male athletes than female athletes.
• Significant PhA variability exists within the same sport, with unclear differences between sports and no clear link to performance or training status.

Conclusions:

• The extent to which PhA varies between sports and with training requires further definition.
• More systematic, long-term data collection is needed for specific sports to establish PhA changes and trends.
• Intervention studies are crucial for a deeper understanding of PhA dynamics.