Sensitivity of Raw Bioimpedance Values to Acute Feeding in Healthy Young Adults: Potential Utility for Application

ABSTRACT

Impedance (Z), resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle (PhA) are sensitive to shifts in fluid between intra- and extracellular compartments, as would occur with nutrient uptake into skeletal muscle, but remains largely unexplored. To explore the sensitivity of whole-body and segmental (arms, legs, trunk) bioimpedance to acute feeding, 27 young adults completed three feeding conditions on separate occasions in randomized, cross-over design [high-carbohydrate (CHO), high-protein (PRO), fasted (FAST); standardized for fluid]. Bioimpedance was completed one-hour post-meal. Differences between feeding conditions at 5, 50, 250 kHz were evaluated. At 5 kHz, whole-body Xc and PhA were significantly different with CHO (p = .017), but not PRO (p = .152), compared to FAST; there were no significant differences at 50 or 250 kHz (p > .05). Segmental bioimpedance was significantly different with CHO and PRO compared to FAST [5 kHz: (Arms: Z, R, Xc,PhA; Trunk: Z, R; p ≤ .002), 50 kHz:(Arms: Z, R, Xc; Trunk: Z, R, Xc; p < .02), 250 kHz:(Arms: Z, R; Trunk: Z, R; Legs: PhA; p ≤ .009)]. Results suggest segmental bioimpedance at 5 kHz is sensitive to acute nutrition. Further exploration is warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioelectrical Impedance
• Body Water
• Intracellular Water
• Extracellular Fluid
• Nutrient Metabolism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding to report for this work.