Time Course of Supine Assessment of Bioelectrical Variables: An Evaluation of Resistance, Reactance, and Phase Angle

Authors

Holly Hall, University of New MexicoFollow
Jeremy B. Ducharme, University of New MexicoFollow
Jonathan M. Houck, University of New MexicoFollow
Avadney Gerard-Osbourne, University of New MexicoFollow
Chloe Clark, University of New MexicoFollow
Ann Gibson, University of New MexicoFollow

Abstract

To minimize the effect of shifts in bodily water compartments, assessments of resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is recommended to occur after the individual has been supine for 15 minutes. While changes in bodily water compartments within 15 minutes of laying in the supine position may affect values for R and Xc, it’s unknown how these body water shifts affect phase angle (PhA). PURPOSE: Investigate the effect of time for stabilization of supine measurements of R, Xc, and PhA obtained via the RJL Quantum Legacy BIA analyzer. METHODS: Thirty-eight men (n=16) and women (n=22) were deemed hydrated (urine specific gravity ≤1.020) and were prepped for standard tetrapolar electrode placement. In the supine position, R, Xc, and PhA at 50kHz were measured on the right side of the body immediately after laying down (baseline) and every 5 minutes for 15 minutes. Participants remained motionless throughout the duration of the test. Separate one-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess the effect of time on R, Xc, and PhA. For repeated measures ANOVA comparisons, generalized eta squared (η²_G)was reported to quantify the observed effect size, where small = .01; medium = .06; large = .14. An alpha of .05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: There was a small but significant effect of time on R, F(1.76, 65.16) = 74.091, p < .001, η²_G < .001. Average values for R increased from 553.2 ± 90.1Ω at baseline to 560.4 ± 93.3Ω post-15 minutes. A small but significant effect for time on Xc was also observed, F(1.34, 46.01) = 20.958, p < .001 η²_G = .004. Average values for Xc increased from 68.2 ± 7.8Ω at baseline to 69.6 ± 8.1Ω post-15 minutes. Laying in the supine position for 15 minutes had no significant effect on PhA, F(1.2, 44.51) = 3.401, p = .065, η²_G < .001. Average PhA values went from 7.13 ± .90° at baseline to 7.18 ± .86° post-15 minutes. CONCLUSION: While time to allow for bodily water compartment stabilization has a small but significant effect on R and Xc, this study demonstrates that PhA is likely unaffected. PhA can be accurately assessed immediately upon assuming the supine position without allowing for bodily water compartment stabilization via the RJL Quantum Legacy.

Recommended Citation

Hall, Holly; Ducharme, Jeremy B.; Houck, Jonathan M.; Gerard-Osbourne, Avadney; Clark, Chloe; and Gibson, Ann (2021) "Time Course of Supine Assessment of Bioelectrical Variables: An Evaluation of Resistance, Reactance, and Phase Angle," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 28.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss1/28