COMPARAÇÃO DO ÂNGULO DE FASE DA BIOIMPEDÂNCIA ELÉTRICA EM ESPORTISTAS VEGANOS E ONÍVOROS

Abstract

Phase angle (PA) is a parameter obtained through bioelectrical impedance (BIA), being an indicator of health, nutritional and functional status in different populations. Vegans tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and lower muscle mass compared to omnivores, however, it is not known whether PA is different between these two groups. The aim of the study is to compare the PA and body composition of physically active omnivorous and vegan individuals. This is a cross-sectional observational study involving 30 physical exercise practitioners (12 men and 18 women), divided into a vegan (GV; n=15) and omnivorous (GO; n=15) group, matched by sex, age, height and body weight (maximum difference of 5%). A scale, stadiometer and tetrapolar bioimpedance (Inbody® S10, Cerritos, USA) were used to measure body composition. No significant differences were observed between GV and GO in body mass (GV 63.7 ± 9.6 vs GO 63.2 ± 9.8 kg; p=0.89), height (GV 169 ± 10.2 vs GO 168 ± 10.3 cm; p=0.79), BMI (RBC 22.2 ± 2.3 vs GO 22.2 ± 1.36 kg/m2; p=0.97), skeletal muscle mass (RBC 27. 5 ± 6.5 vs GO 27.9 ± 8.6 kg; p = 0.87), body fat (RG 14.1 ± 5.6 vs GO 13.2 ± 6.3 kg; p=0.69 ), percentage of body fat (RBC 22.5 ± 9.2 vs GO 22.1 ± 11.3 %; p=0.90), whole body PA (RBC 6.0 ± 0.8 vs GO 6, 6 ± 1.0; p=0.10), AF of the left arm (GV 5.6 ± 0.8 vs GO 6.21 ± 1.0; p = 0.10), AF of the trunk (GV 6, 4 ± 1.4 vs GO 6.9 ± 1.3; p=0.29), AF of the left leg (GV 6.6 ± 0.8 vs GO 6.6 ± 1.2; p=0.38 ) and AF of the right leg (RG 6.5 ± 0.8 vs GO 6.8 ± 1.2; p=0.43). Right arm AF was lower in vegans compared to omnivores (GV 5.6 ± 0.8 vs GO 6.3 ± 0.9; p=0.03). The results indicate similarities in body composition and PA between vegans and omnivores, however the lower PA of the right arm (probably the dominant one) in the vegan group should be further investigated, using larger samples. In the context of sports nutrition, PA can be a practical tool to help assess body composition in assessing the nutritional status of physical activity practitioners. However, more studies on PA are needed in the field of sport.