Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance Parameters and Body Composition Among Street Workout Athletes According to Training Experience

Abstract

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is useful for determining bioelectrical parameters and body composition. In turn, differences have been reported when comparing these variables in athletes by training status. Nevertheless, there is no evidence of bioelectrical impedance parameters in Street Workout (SW) athletes. Thus, this study aimed to compare bioelectrical parameters and body composition through BIA between trained and untrained SW athletes. Twenty-two male SW athletes were classified as trained (n=6; 26.3 y [21.0–28.9]) and untrained (n=16; 21.8 y [20.5–24.7]) based on their SW experience. A bioelectrical impedanciometer was used to estimate bioelectrical parameters and body composition. There was no difference in body composition between trained and untrained SW athletes. Regarding impedance, trained athletes had lower values in the upper limbs (right arm: p=0.049; left arm: p=0.027) and trunk (p=0.004), while phase angle values were higher in the upper limbs (right arm: p=0.004; left arm: p=0.001), and trunk (p=0.006), as well as the mean phase angle (p=0.007), than untrained athletes. Bioelectrical impedance parameter differences found between SW training level groups suggest an improvement of tissue qualities, such as muscle, with SW practice. Future longitudinal studies should corroborate if SW training modifies these parameters.