Abstract
Background: Pole dance is a type of functional training whose effects on body composition have been only poorly explored. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)is a field method to estimate fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), etc. In addition, of particular interest for athletes, raw BIA variables such as impedance ratio =IR (between impedance-Z at high frequencies and Z at low frequencies) and phase angle=PhA may be considered as promising markers of muscle quality since they arerelated to body cell mass (BCM) and the ratio between extracellular water and intracellular water.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pole dancing training on body composition and especially on IR and PhA of the whole body, upper limbs and lower limbs. Methods: Forty female pole dancers (age 27.4±5.1 years, body weight 57.0±6.9 kg, body mass index-BMI 22.2±2.3 kg/m²) and fifty-nine control young women (26.8±4.7 years, 58.6±6.4 kg, BMI 22.3±1.8 kg/m²) participated in the study.BIA was performed on the whole body, upper limbs and lower limbs at 5-50-100-250 kHz. FFM, FFM index, FMand percentage of FM were then predicted. Raw BIA variables were also considered: IR and PhA, and also bioelectrical impedance indexes (stature²/Z, related to body water compartments). Arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) were calculated from triceps skinfold and arm circumference. Results: Compared to controls pole dancers exhibited higher FFM index and BI indexes at low and high frequencies as well as lower percentage of FM. Whole-body BI indexes correlated with AMA but not with AFA. PhA was greater and IRs were smaller in pole dancers than controls for the whole body and more markedly for upper limbs, whereas there were no differences for lower limbs. When considering training level, professional and amateur pole dancers did not differ with respect to body weight and BMI. After adjusting for weight, FFM and FFMI were greater in the more trained than in the less trained group, while FM and %FM were smaller. Whole-body PhA and IRs as well as BI indexes tended to be higher in the professionalsthan amateurs, with much more significant differences in upper limb PhA and IRs. Conclusions: Pole dance training has a significant effect, possibly depending also on training level, not only on FFM and FM, but also on those raw BIA variables that may be considered as markers of muscle quality.
Effects of Urination, Aerobic Exercise, Food and Water Ingestion on Body Composition Measured by Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
