Effectiveness of impedance parameters for muscle quality evaluation in healthy men

We investigated the relationship between impedance parameters and skeletal muscle function in the lower extremities, as well as the effectiveness of impedance parameters in evaluating muscle quality. Lower extremity impedance of 19 healthy men (aged 23–31 years) measured using the direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis were arc-optimized using the Cole–Cole model, following which phase angle (PA), R_i/ R_e, and β were estimated. Skeletal muscle function was assessed by muscle thickness, muscle intensity, and isometric knee extension force (IKEF). IKEF was positively correlated with PA (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) and β (r = 0.34, p < 0.05) was negatively correlated with R_i/ R_e (r = − 0.43, p < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis results revealed that PA, β, and R_i/ R_e were correlated with IKEF independently of muscle thickness. This study suggests that arc-optimized impedance parameters are effective for evaluating muscle quality and prediction of muscle strength.