(29) IMPACT OF MODERATE EXERCISE ON AIR DISPLACEMENT PLETHYSMOGRAPHY IN ADULT FEMALES

Exercise prior to measuring body composition using air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) is contraindicated. Research has shown that exercise decreases body fat percentage (BF%) measurement immediately post-exercise.  It is unclear when the effect of exercise on the BF% measurement subsides or how different exercise modalities may impact BF% measurements.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine how moderate intensity exercise using different modalities impacts BF% using ADP.

Methods: Fourteen female adults (age = 33 ± 11.4 yr; height = 164.5 ± 6.0 cm; mass = 69.1 ± 14.5) volunteered to participate in the study. In random order, participants visited the laboratory on four occasions that included three exercise and one non-exercise condition. Subjects completed a 30-minute moderate exercise bout (45 to 55% HHR) using either treadmill (TR), cycle ergometer (CE), or arm ergometer (AE). BF% using ADP was measured immediately prior to exercise (PRE) as well as immediately post (IP), post-15 minutes (P15), post-30 minutes (P30), post-45 minutes (P45), and post-60 minutes (P60). The control (C) condition included 30 minutes of rest in lieu of exercise along with the other pre and post measures.   

Results: No differences were found among any of the PRE measurements across all conditions (avg BF% = 28.5 ± 0.5%). BF% dropped from PRE to IP by ~1.9% among TR, CE, and AE; however, only TR & CE significantly declined (p < 0.05). BF% did not significantly change in the control condition across time (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between PRE and P30, P45, and P60 in any of the modalities.  

Conclusions: Results demonstrate moderate intensity TR and CE significantly lower BF% measurements from ADP immediately upon completion of the exercise bout. The decrease in BF% is temporary and measurements observed at P15, P30, P45, and P60 were not statistically different than pre-exercise measurements.

Practical Applications: Results of the study can be used by practitioners using ADP to measure BF%. While exercise is a contraindication to BF% testing, it does not appear to be a limiting factor. However, clinical relevance of the setting should be taken under consideration.

 

Acknowledgements: None