Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 77, Issue 1 98-112, Copyright © 1994 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis: theory and application of a new technique

L. W. Organ, G. B. Bradham, D. T. Gore and S. L. Lozier
Department of Physiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for body composition has been based on the volume conductor model that results in the mathematical relationship Ht2/R approximately FFM, where Ht is body height, R is whole body resistance or impedance, and FFM is fat-free mass. Although this relationship exists in the human subject, its strength and usefulness have been subject to conflicting reports. This study reassessed the theory and methodology of BIA and describes a new technique for measuring segmental impedance that may resolve some major limitations associated with the current whole body impedance methodology. By use of data from 200 adult subjects, a new theory and methodology for BIA were developed in four steps: 1) a rationale was presented for replacing the Ht2/R model by one based on electrical resistivity, 2) a practical six-electrode technique for segmental BIA that uses only peripheral electrode sites was described, 3) prediction equations for fat weight based on the new segmental BIA technique were developed, and 4) prediction equations for fat distribution, a potential new use of impedance methodology, were developed using a new measure of fat distribution, the impedance index.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. I. Tanaka, M. Miyatani, Y. Masuo, T. Fukunaga, and H. Kanehisa Applicability of a segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis for predicting the whole body skeletal muscle volume J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2007; 103(5): 1688 - 1695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Ishiguro, H. Kanehisa, M. Miyatani, Y. Masuo, and T. Fukunaga Applicability of segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis for predicting trunk skeletal muscle volume J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2006; 100(2): 572 - 578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Zhu, M. K. Kuhlmann, G. A. Kaysen, S. Sarkar, C. Kaitwatcharachai, R. Khilnani, L. Stevens, E. F. Leonard, J. Wang, S. Heymsfield, et al. Segment-specific resistivity improves body fluid volume estimates from bioimpedance spectroscopy in hemodialysis patients J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2006; 100(2): 717 - 724. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C. Buchholz, C. Bartok, and D. A. Schoeller The Validity of Bioelectrical Impedance Models in Clinical Populations Nutr Clin Pract, October 1, 2004; 19(5): 433 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. WOTTON, B. J. THOMAS, B. H. CORNISH, and L. C. WARD Comparison of Whole Body and Segmental Bioimpedance Methodologies for Estimating Total Body Water Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., May 1, 2000; 904(1): 181 - 186. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. MAZARIEGOS, P. KLASSEN, N. W. SOLOMONS, and P. FURST Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy in Health and Disease: Correspondence between Whole Body and Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy Indices in Patients with Classical Dengue Fever Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., May 1, 2000; 904(1): 205 - 209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. TAGLIABUE, A. ANDREOLI, S. BERTOLI, E. PAGLIATO, M. COMELLI, G. TESTOLIN, and A. DE LORENZO Appendicular Lean Body Mass: Prediction by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., May 1, 2000; 904(1): 218 - 220. [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. H. CORNISH, P. T. ELES, B. J. THOMAS, and L. C. WARD The Effect of Electrode Placement in Measuring Ipsilateral/Contralateral Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., May 1, 2000; 904(1): 221 - 224. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. NUNEZ, Y. X. TAN, G. ZINGARETTI, M. PUNYANITYA, F. RUBIANO, Z. M. WANG, and S. B. HEYMSFIELD The Best Predictive Model for Estimating Fat-free Mass Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., May 1, 2000; 904(1): 333 - 334. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Schwenk, A. Beisenherz, G. Kremer, V. Diehl, B. Salzberger, and G. Fatkenheuer Bioelectrical impedance analysis in HIV-infected patients treated with triple antiretroviral treatment Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 1999; 70(5): 867 - 873. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. THOMAS, B. H. CORNISH, L. C. WARD, and A. JACOBS Bioimpedance: Is It a Predictor of True Water Volume? Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., April 20, 1999; 873(1): 89 - 93. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Zhu, D. Schneditz, E. Wang, and N. W. Levin Dynamics of segmental extracellular volumes during changes in body position by bioimpedance analysis J Appl Physiol, August 1, 1998; 85(2): 497 - 504. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Salinari, A. Bertuzzi, G. Mingrone, E. Capristo, A. Pietrobelli, P. Campioni, A. V. Greco, and S. B. Heymsfield New bioimpedance model accurately predicts lower limb muscle volume: validation by magnetic resonance imaging Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, April 1, 2002; 282(4): E960 - E966. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]