Phase angle associated with different indicators of health-related physical fitness in adults with obesity

• Published in: Physiology & behavior Vol. 225; p. 113104
• Main Authors: Streb, Anne Ribeiro, Hansen, Fernanda, Gabiatti, Mariana Papini, Tozetto, Willen Remon, Del Duca, Giovani Firpo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 15.10.2020
• Subjects: Body composition; Chronic disease; Cross-sectional studies; Physical fitness; Physical fitness; Cross-sectional studies; Chronic disease; Body composition
• ISSN: 0031-9384; 1873-507X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113104

•The phase angle (PhA) is associated with physical fitness variables in adults with obesity.•The body fat and maximal strength were predictors of PhA.•Relative VO2 was positively correlated with the PhA.•Flexibility is not associated with PhA.•Physical activity and sedentary behavior did not correlate with the PhA. In obese populations, the exacerbated increase in adipose tissue results in a significant reduction of health-related physical fitness and can affect the phase angle (PhA), a promising health indicator of cell health and integrity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of PhA with health-related physical fitness indicators in obese adults. This cross-sectional study had a non-probabilistic sample and was conducted from April to June 2018. The PhA was obtained by a bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the health-related physical fitness indicators evaluated were percentage of body fat (%BF), lower- and upper-body maximal strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (relative V̇O2peak), and flexibility. Pearson and Spearman´s linear correlations, crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were performed. A total of 69 obese adults (60.8% female; BMI = 33.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2) with a mean age of 34.6 ± 7.1 years were studied. The PhA means were 5.8 (±0.6º) and had an inverse correlation with %BF (r=−0.74; p<0.001) and positive correlation with V̇O2peak (r=0.50; p<0.001), lower- and upper-body maximal strength (r=0.65; r=0.70; p<0.001, respectively). After adjustment, %BF (β=−0.065, adjusted R2=0.53; p<0.001), lower- and upper-body maximal strength (β=0.004; adjusted R2=0.46; p<0.001, and β=0.024; adjusted R2=0.50; p<0.001, respectively) were predictors of PhA. Our results suggest the favorable role of PhA as a clinically viable tool to screen and identify the physical fitness variables and functional status of obese adults.