Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in sport and exercise: systematic review and future perspectives

Abstract Background: The available scientific literature on the applications of ‘bioelectrical impedance vector analysis’ (BIVA) in sport and exercise is still scarce and very heterogeneous. Objective: The main goal of this work was to systematically review the currently available sources on the applications of BIVA in sport and exercise and to examine its usefulness and suitability as a technique for the evaluation of body composition, hydration status, and other physiological and clinical relevant characteristics, ultimately to trace future perspectives in this growing area, including a proposal for a research agenda. Methods: Systematic literature searches in PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus databases were conducted on any empirical investigations using BIVA within exercise and sport contexts. The search included healthy sedentary individuals, physically active subjects and athletes. Result: Twenty-one eligible papers were included and classified as seventeen original articles and four scientific conference communications. Four studies analysed short-term variations in the hydration status evoked by exercise/training, eleven assessed body composition changes induced by long-term exercise, four compared athletic groups or populations, and two analysed bioelectrical patterns of athletic injuries or muscle damage. Most studies applied standard whole-body electrode distribution and used single frequency (50 kHz) impedance devices. Conclusions: BIVA is a relatively new technique that has great potential in sport and exercise, especially for the assessment of hydration status, body composition and soft-tissue injury. Further research establishing standardised testing procedures and investigating the relationship between physiology and the bioelectrical signal in sport and exercise is needed.Peer Reviewe