The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on the Reliability of Contact-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzers

Authors

Emily A. Cumberledge, Bloomsburg UniversityFollow
Cassandra Myers, Bloomsburg University
Jennifer J. Venditti, Bloomsburg UniversityFollow
Curt B. Dixon, Lock Haven UniversityFollow
Joseph L. Andreacci, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaFollow

Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 625-632, 2018. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a noninvasive and relatively inexpensive method of assessing body composition. Manufacturers of BIA technology recommend to avoid testing women when they perceive to be retaining water during the menstrual cycle. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of the menstrual cycle on body composition determined by contact-electrode BIA analyzers. Forty-three college-aged women volunteered to participate in this study (age=21.2 ± 1.1 years; body mass index = 24.0 ± 3.7 kg/m²). Subjects had their body composition assessed using four different contact-electrode BIA analyzers during the following menstrual cycle phases: menstrual, follicular, early and late luteal. Regardless of the BIA analyzer used for the assessment, no significant differences in body composition measures were found between cycle phases. The results of this study indicate that the contact-electrode BIA devices used in this study can be used at any time during a woman’s menstrual cycle without altering the body composition values.

Recommended Citation

Cumberledge, Emily A.; Myers, Cassandra; Venditti, Jennifer J.; Dixon, Curt B.; and Andreacci, Joseph L. (2018) "The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on the Reliability of Contact-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzers," International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 11 : Iss. 4, Pages 625 - 632.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol11/iss4/11