Body Components Differences and Their Impact of Phase Angle Values in Athletes and Non-athletes

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this paper was to determine PhA values in athletes and sedentary population. The specific aim was to determine differences between subjects of the same sex and with a different level of physical activity, as well as the factors affecting PhA values.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-six athletes and sedentary students participated in the research. They were divided into four groups according to sex and level of physical activity. Routine BIA at 50 kHz was performed and BMI, PBF, FFM, PMM, TBW, ECW, ICV, ECW/ICE ratio, BMR, BM, PhA and impedance were measured.

Results: Male athletes had higher PhA values (6.85±0.5°) compared to male non-athletes (6.29±0.67°), female athletes (5.61±0.44) and female non-athletes (5.47±0.58°). Statistically significant differences were found in men (PhA p=0.004; ECW/ICE ratio p=0.002), but not in women. The highest positive correlation was found in ICW (ρ+0.71 p≤0.01), while the highest negative correlation was found in impedance (ρ-0.79 p≤0.01). PhA variance was mostly due to PMM (B=+0.44, p=0.002).

Conclusion: Differences found in male athletes and non-athletes may suggest the influence of physical activity, since the variance in PhA values was mostly due to PMM and a positive correlation with ICW.