Fat-free mass estimation in male elite futsal players: Development and validation of a new bioelectrical impedance–based predictive equation
Abstract
Objectives The present study aimed to develop and cross-validate a futsal-specific bioelectrical equation for estimating fat-free mass (FFM) in male players. Methods A total of 66 futsal players (age 23.3 ± 5.4 years) from the Major Portuguese Futsal League "LIGA PLACARD" and from the 2nd and 3rd National Futsal Leagues were included in this cross-sectional, observational study. The participants underwent a foot-to-hand bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) at 50 kHz and completed a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan for reference body composition data. The sport-specific model was developed by stepwise multiple regression using bioelectrical raw parameters [resistance (R) and reactance (Xc)] as independent variables. Validation was performed using the PRESS approach, least squares regression, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland-Altman analyses. Results A BIA-based model was developed for FFM [FFM (kg) = -8.865 + 0.437 * Body Mass (kg) + 0.186 * Xc + 0.415 * stature (cm)2/R (R 2 = 0.89, standard error of estimation = 2.38 kg)]. Results showed a substantial strength of agreement (CCC = 0.953), an r 2 of 0.88 with a standard error of estimation equal to 2.31 kg, no mean bias (0.04 kg, p>0.05), low limits of agreement (ranged from -4.5 to 4.6 kg), and no trend (r = -0.170, p = 0.172). Conclusions The present equation is the first to allow for a valid, accurate, and sport-specific assessment of FFM in male futsal players.
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Four studies on athletes involved Portuguese male and female participants from different sport disciplines.
“Four studies involved Portuguese male and female participants from different sport disciplines [39, 69, 84, 87], while two studies recruited male Brazilian army cadets [85] considered as very active individuals [103] and adolescents from various sport disciplines [104].”
From High-standard predictive equations for estimating body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis: a systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [84]
Regarding foot-to-hand technology for athletes, five equations are for estimating FFM in males.
“Regarding foot to hand technology, we found an equation for estimating FM in males [48], five equations for estimating FFM in males [31, 69, 84, 85, 104], and four in females only [51, 62, 69, 104].”
From High-standard predictive equations for estimating body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis: a systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [84]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Matias, C. N., Campa, F., Cavaca, M., Paoli, A., & Teixeira, F. J.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Lusófona (PT)
- University of Padua (IT)
- University of Lisbon (PT)
- Corresponding author
- Campa, Francesco
- Venue
- Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2023-03
- Volume
- 107
- Pages
- 111931
- ISSN
- 0899-9007 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4311138510
- Cited by
- 8
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 1.03
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- fat-free mass, bioelectrical impedance analysis, prediction equations, futsal players, elite athletes, body composition, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, resistance and reactance
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Body Composition, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Male, Sports, Reproducibility of Results, Absorptiometry, Photon
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