BODY COMPOSITION AND REGIONAL PHASE ANGLE AS INDICATORS OF VO2max IN ELITE MALE AND FEMALE COMBAT ATHLETES

Abstract

Various potentially related factors, such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and anthropometric, physiological, genetic, and chronotype data, can contribute to athletes' training programs. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), phase angle (PhA) values, and aerobic power in female and male combat athletes. PhA, lean mass (kg), fat mass (kg), and body fat percentage (%) values of the athletes were measured using the BIA method. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured using a mobile cardiopulmonary exercise test system. Statistical tests included analyses of bivariate correlation, t-tests, and multiple regressions. All parameters differed except for male and female athletes' age and training experience. Male athletes have higher maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and PhA values than female athletes. BIA and PhA were differentially (small-medium) associated with absolute and relative VO2max in all athletes (p<0.05), whereas no correlation was found between both PhA and relative VO2max, respectively. The relationship between PhA and VO2max is more revealing, especially in male and female athletes. PhA and BIA have the potential to be used in the field by conditioning and trainers to assess aerobic endurance swiftly; this can aid in determining competition readiness, training progress, and monitoring the recovery of muscle performance following injury.