Bioimpedance patterns and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) of road cyclists

J Sports Sci. 2018 Nov;36(22):2608-2613. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2018.1470597. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Abstract

Bioelectrical impedance vector-analysis (BIVA) describes cell-mass, cell function and hydration status of an individual or a group. The goal of the present investigation was to provide bioelectrical impedance data for 525 male road cyclists (155 professionals, 79 elite, 59 elite-youth, and 232 amateurs) at the time of their optimal performance level. Data were plotted on the resistance-reactance (R-Xc) graph to characterize cyclists group vectors using BIVA. Compared to the general male population, the mean vector position of the road cyclists indicates a higher body cell mass (BCM) and phase angle (p<0.001). The vector position of the high-performance, compared to the amateur cyclists showed similar patterns with higher BCM and phase angles and higher reactance values for the high-performance athletes (p<0.001). The bio-impedance data were used to calculate the 50%, 75%, and 95% tolerance ellipses of each group of cyclists. The characteristic vector positions of the road cyclists indicate normal hydration and greater muscle mass and function of the high-performance cyclists compared to amateur cyclists and the normal population. The cyclists specific tolerance ellipses, particularly the high-performance cyclists might be used for classifying a cyclist according to the individual vector position and to define target vector regions for lower level cyclists.

Keywords: Road cyclists; anthropometry; body composition; performance level; phase angle; reference values.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Athletic Performance / classification
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Bicycling / classification
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Body Composition*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Electric Impedance*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Organism Hydration Status
  • Physical Conditioning, Human
  • Young Adult