Comparison of series and parallel reactance to identify changes in intracellular water in response to physical training in athletes during a sports season

Objective: Cross-sectional evidence has demonstrated that parallel reactance obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) may be an alternative to the regularly used series of measurements to predict intracellular water (ICW) in athletes. However, we are not aware of any studies that have determined the predictive role or compared the effectiveness of both series and parallel reactance for tracking ICW changes during an athletic season. The main aim of this study was to determine the predictive role and compare both series and parallel reactance (Xc) in tracking ICW during an athletic season. Research methods and procedures: This longitudinal study analyzed 108 athletes in the preparatory and competitive periods. Using dilution techniques, total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were determined and ICW was calculated. Resistance (R), Xc, and impedance (Z) standardized for height were obtained through BIA spectroscopy using a frequency of 50kHz in a series array and then mathematically transformed in a parallel array. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that only changes in parallel Xc and capacitance (CAP) (P < 0.05) were predictors of delta ICW during the sports season. In contracts, this was not the case for Xcs. Both changes in R and Z, series and parallel, predicted similarly the changes in ECW and TBW (P < 0.05) in athletes. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the potential of parallel BIA values to detect changes in body water compartments over a competitive season. These data provide preliminary evidence that changes in parallel Xc/H, and ultimately CAP, represent valid markers of alterations in cell volume during a sports season.