Limb-specific isometric and isokinetic strength in adults: The potential role of regional bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle

Gil B Rosa; Megan Hetherington-Rauth; João P Magalhães; Inês R Correia; Ana V Bernardino; Luís B Sardinha

doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2023.11.039

Limb-specific isometric and isokinetic strength in adults: The potential role of regional bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle

Clin Nutr. 2024 Jan;43(1):154-162. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.11.039. Epub 2023 Nov 30.

Authors

Gil B Rosa¹, Megan Hetherington-Rauth², João P Magalhães³, Inês R Correia⁴, Ana V Bernardino⁵, Luís B Sardinha⁶

Affiliations

¹ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada 1499-002, Portugal. Electronic address: gilrosa@campus.ul.pt.
² California Pacific Medical Center, Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA. Electronic address: mchr@email.arizona.edu.
³ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada 1499-002, Portugal. Electronic address: joaomagalhaes@campus.ul.pt.
⁴ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada 1499-002, Portugal. Electronic address: inesramoscorreia@gmail.com.
⁵ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada 1499-002, Portugal. Electronic address: afvbernardino@gmail.com.
⁶ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz-Quebrada 1499-002, Portugal. Electronic address: lsardinha@fmh.ulisboa.pt.

PMID: 38048645
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.11.039

Abstract

Background & aims: It is not yet known whether regional bioelectrical impedance (BIA) phase angle (PhA) may be informative of different types of strength performed by the lower and upper limbs, independently of lean soft tissue mass (LSTM). Using a sample of healthy adults, we aimed to examine the association and relevance of regional PhA relative to isometric and isokinetic strength of each limb.

Methods: A total of 57 participants (32.7 ± 12.9 years; 24.7 ± 3.5 kg/m²) were included in the present investigation. Regional raw BIA variables were determined using a phase-sensitive BIA device. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate LSTM. Absolute isometric and isokinetic (i.e., 60°/s and 180°/s) strength of each limb (extension and flexion) was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer and used to calculate relative strength.

Results: In absolute strength, only dominant leg PhA was associated with isometric extension strength (β = 0.283) and isokinetic 180°/s flexion strength (β = 0.354), regardless of LSTM (p < 0.05). In relative strength, a significant association of regional PhA was found for dominant arm flexion isometric strength (β = 0.336), and non-dominant arm and dominant leg extension isometric strength (β = 0.377, β = 0.565, respectively; p < 0.05), independently of LSTM. Similarly, for isokinetic 180°/s strength, regional PhA significantly explained the variance in the relative strength of both arms and dominant leg (β = 0.350 to 0.506), regardless of LSTM (p < 0.05). Relative isokinetic 60°/s strength was not consistently associated with regional PhA (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusions: Regional PhA significantly explained relative (isometric and 180°/s isokinetic strength of both arms and dominant leg), but not absolute muscle strength, independently of regional LSTM. Thus, after accounting for body size, regional PhA seems to have its own characteristics that explain relative strength independently of LSTM.

Keywords: Bioelectrical impedance analysis; Body composition; Muscle strength; Phase angle; Physical fitness; Regional analysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Adult
Arm* / physiology
Electric Impedance
Humans
Muscle Strength* / physiology
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology