Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Author Spotlight: Implementation of BIVA for Analyzing Disease Risk Factors in Patients with Low Body Cell Mass
Published on: July 14, 2023
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Professional and Semi-Professional Football: A Scoping Review
Íñigo M Pérez-Castillo1, Alberto Valiño-Marques2, José López-Chicharro2
1Research and Development, Abbott Nutrition, 68 Camino de Purchil, 18004 Granada, Spain.
Background:
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a widely used field technique for assessing body composition in football. However, its reliance on population-specific regression equations limits its accuracy.
Objective:
This scoping review aimed to map the scientific literature on BIA applications in professional and semi-professional football, highlighting uses, limitations, and research opportunities.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted in the scientific databases PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. Identified studies involved the use of BIA in professional and semi-professional football players (≥16 years) in the context of routine training and competition.
Results:
From 14,624 records, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Three main applications were identified: (1) quantitative body composition assessment, (2) qualitative/semi-quantitative analysis (e.g., bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA)), and (3) muscle health and injury monitoring. Seven specific research areas emerged, including hydration monitoring, cross-method validation of body composition analyses, development of predictive models, sport phenotype identification, tracking training adaptations, performance/load assessment via phase angle, and localized BIA for injury diagnosis and recovery.
Conclusions:
While quantitative BIA estimates may lack individual-level precision, raw parameter analyses may offer valuable insights into hydration, cellular integrity, and muscle injury status, yet further research is needed to fully realize these applications.
