Bioelectrical Vector Analysis Research Articles

Somatotype and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis of Italian CrossFit® practitioners

ObjectivesCrossFit® is a high-intensity sport characterized by various workouts that require strength, speed, endurance, or agility, impacting participants' body composition. This observational study aimed to determine the morphological (anthropometrical and bioelectrical) profile of CrossFit® athletes and to compare them with other athletic populations. MethodsAnthropometrical measurements and bioelectrical vector analysis (classic and specific approaches) were performed on 145 CrossFit® practitioners (107 men aged 30.7 ± 8.4 years and 38 women aged 28.1 ± 6.7 years). Each participant's relative somatotype was calculated and compared between sexes and with a Spanish CrossFit® athletes' group. Resistance-reactance graphs and Hotelling's T2 test were applied to characterize the sample, compare them with an athletes' reference population, and identify differences between somatotype groups. ResultsThe most represented somatotype in both groups was the balanced mesomorph (male 3.5–5.2 - 1.7 and female 4.4–4.5 - 1.8). Compared with Spanish CrossFit® athletes, significant differences were denoted for men but not women (SAD = 2.3). The bioelectrical graphs indicated that the distribution of CrossFit® athletes is quite heterogeneous and within average values for the athlete's reference. The mesomorphic and endomorphic components were associated with a higher phase angle. ConclusionsCrossFit® practitioners predominantly present a mesomorphic component and show a body type like other power athletes, although with less pronounced characteristics. The somatotype may influence the vector's position in the RXc graphs. This study provided the bioelectrical tolerance ellipses for CrossFit® practitioners in classic and specific approaches for the first time.

Effect of oral nutritional supplementation combined with impedance vectors for dry weight adjustment on the nutritional status, hydration status and quality of life in patients on chronic hemodialysis: A pilot study

Protein energy wasting frequently affect hemodialysis patients and contribute to the development of overhydration. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) combined with bioelectrical vector analysis (BIVA) on the nutritional and hydration status and the quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thirty-two chronic HD patients were included in a 6-month randomized pilot study. Patients in SUPL group received a simultaneous intervention consisting of a personalized diet, 245mL/d ONS and dry weight adjustment through BIVA. Patients in CON group received a personalized diet and dry weight adjustment by BIVA. Anthropometrical, biochemical, dietary, QoL, handgrip strength (HGS) and bioimpedance measurements were performed. Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS) was applied. At the end of the intervention, moderate undernutrition decreased by 43.8% in SUPL group while in CON group, severe undernutrition increased by 13% (p<0.04 between groups). In the adjusted covariance analysis, SUPL compared to CON group, increased HGS (Δ 2.8Kg vs Δ-1.8Kg, p=0.003), serum albumin (Δ 0.29g/dL vs Δ-0.03g/dL, p=0.04) and serum transferrin (Δ 4.7mg/dL vs Δ-0.7mg/dL, p=0.0007). The increase in QoL was significantly higher in SUPL group. Dry weight was achieved in 100% of patients in SUPL and 95% in CON group. ONS combined with BIVA for dry weight adjustment, improved nutritional status, QoL and achieved dry weight in HD patients.

Body composition evaluated by body mass index and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex inflammatory disease that modifies body composition. Although body mass index (BMI) is one of the clinical nutrition tools widely used to assess indirectly nutritional status, it is not able to identify these body alterations. Bioelectrical Vector Analysis (BIVA) is an alternative method to assess hydration and body cell mass of patients with wasting conditions. To investigate the differences in nutrition status according to BMI groups (normal, overweight and obesity) and BIVA classification (cachectic and non-cachectic) in women with RA. Women with confirmed diagnosis of RA were included from January 2015 to June 2016. Whole-body bioelectrical impedance was measured using a tetrapolar and mono-frequency equipment. Patients were classified according to BMI as: low body weight (n = 6, 2.7%), normal (n = 59, 26.3%), overweight (n = 88, 39.3%) and obese (n = 71, 31.7%), and each group was divided into BIVA groups (cachectic 51.8% and non-cachectic 48.2%). A total of 224 RA patients were included, with mean age 52.7 years and median disease duration of 12 years. Significant differences were found in weight, arm circumference, waist, hip, resistance/height, reactance/height and erythrocyte sedimentation rate among all BMI groups. However, serum albumin levels were significantly different between cachectic and non-cachectic patients independently of BMI. In all BMI categories, cachectic groups had lower reactance and phase angle than non-cachectic subjects. RA patients with normal or even high BMI have a significantly lower muscle component. Evaluation of body composition with BIVA in RA patients could be an option for cachexia detection.

Short-Term Changes in Body Composition and Response to Micronutrient Supplementation After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

We evaluated dietary intakes, body composition, micronutrient deficiency, and response to micronutrient supplementation in 47 patients before and for 6 months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Before, 3, and 6 months after LSG, we measured dietary intakes with food-frequency questionnaires, body composition with bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and bioelectrical vector analysis (BIVA), and plasma concentrations of iron, Zn, water-, and lipo-soluble vitamins. After LSG, energy intake significantly decreased and patients lost weight, fat mass, and free-fat mass. BIVA showed a substantial loss of soft tissue body cell mass (BCM) with no change in hydration. Before surgery, 15 % of patients were iron deficient, 30 % had low levels of zinc and/or water-soluble vitamins, and 32 % of vitamin 25(OH)-D3. We treated iron deficiency with ferrous sulfate, isolated folate deficiency with N5-methyiltetrahydrofolate-Ca-pentahydrate, and deficiencies in vitamin B1, B12, or Zn, with or without concomitant folate deficiency, with multivitamin. No supplementation was given to vitamin 25(OH)-D3 deficient patients. At first follow-up, 7 % of patients developed new deficiencies in iron, 7 % in folic acid (n = 3), and 36 % in water-soluble vitamins and/or zinc whereas no new deficit in vitamin 25(OH)-D3 occurred. At final follow-up, deficiencies were corrected in all patients treated with either iron or folate but only in 32 % of those receiving multivitamin. Vitamin 25(OH)-D3 deficiency was corrected in 73 % of patients even though these patients were not supplemented. LSG-induced weight loss is accompanied by a decrease in BCM with no body fluid alterations. Deficiencies in water-soluble vitamins and Zn respond poorly to multivitamin supplementation.

The emerging role of biomarkers and bio-impedance in evaluating hydration status in patients with acute heart failure

The quantitative and qualitative estimation of total body fluid content has proven to be crucial for both diagnosis and prognosis assessment in patients with heart failure. The aim of this review is to summarize the current techniques for assessing body hydration status as well as the principal biomarkers associated with acute heart failure (AHF). Although clinical history, physical examination and classical imaging techniques(e.g., standard radiography and echocardiography)still represent the cornerstones, novel and promising tools,such as biomarkers and bio-electrical impedance are achieving an emerging role in clinical practice for the assessment of total body fluid content. In the acute setting, the leading advantages of these innovative methods over device are represented by the much lower invasiveness and the reasonable costs, coupled with an easier and faster application. This article is mainly focused on AHF patients, not only because the overall prevalence of this disease is dramatically increasing worldwide, but also because it is well-known that their fluid overload has a remarkable diagnostic and prognostic significance. It is thereby conceivable that the bio-electrical vector analysis (BIVA) coupled with laboratory biomarkers might achieve much success in AHF patient management in the future, especially for assisting diagnosis, risk stratification,and therapeutic decision-making.

BIOIMPEDANCE VECTOR ANALYSIS AS A TOOL FOR DETERMINATION AND ADJUSTMENT OF DRY WEIGHT IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

The hemodialysis (HD) patient is fluid overloaded, even when there is no apparent edema. Due to this, is vital to know the dry weight. No clinical or laboratory parameters are reliable, simple and accessible for this purpose. The bioelectrical impedance has been applied to estimate body fluids and dry weight. The purpose was to use the bioelectrical vector analysis (BIVA) as a tool to adjust the intensity of ultrafiltration and achievement of dry weight in HD patients. We performed monthly measurements of bioimpedance in 24 HD patients pre-and post-dialysis for four months. We plotted the patient´s vectors in the RXc graph in order to meet individually hydration status and adjust the dry weight. Nutritional status was evaluated by Bilbrey Index. Adjustment on dry weight, was made in 18 patients, 13 of whom (72%) were able to reach it. The postdialysis vectors, migrated to upper quadrants, indicating adequate hydration. Postdialysis vectors at the end of the study were significantly different compared to baseline (Figure 1). Five patients didn´t reach dry weight despite the adjustments, 4 were men with overhydration and 3 of them were severely malnourished. A woman remained dehydrated. In conclusion, the impedance vector analysis is a useful tool for adjusting dry weight in hemodialysis patients. Download : Download full-size image