Muscle Quality Measured by an Electrical Impedance Myography Device: Correlation with Upper Limb Muscle Mass and Strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes Original Research
Main Article Content
Keywords
bioimpedance, muscle quality, handgrip strength, muscle mass
Abstract
Introduction: Maximum voluntary isometric handgrip strength (MVHIS) is important for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) techniques. Muscle quality (MQ), assessed using a Skulpt Chisel® device, has demonstrated a correlation between muscle mass and leg strength. This study aimed to identify the correlation between forearm MQ (FMQ) and arm MQ (AMQ) with arm lean mass (ALM) and MVIHS in BJJ practitioners from southeastern Mexico.
Methods: Thirty-two adult male Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) were included. The FMQ and AMQ were assessed using a Skulpt Chisel® device, the ALM with an InBody 570® analyzer, and the MVIHS with a GRIPX EH101 dynamometer. Student's t-test for independent samples and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) were used to statistical analysis.
Results: Significant difference was observed between ALM of both arms (right 3.87 ± 0.75; left 3.83 ± 0.74 kg; p = 0.027); but not between FMQ (right 114.77 ± 10.27; left 115.65 ± 9.15; p = 0.226), AMQ (right 119.76 ± 10.98; left 119.24 ± 11.19; p = 0.315) and MVIHS (right 44.07 ± 8.9; left 43.25 ± 8.62 kg; p = 0.183). Strong and significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between ALM and MVIHS on the right side (r = 0.621; 95% CI = 0.329 to 0.913) and the left side (r = 0.623; 95% CI = 0.332 to 0.915). No significant correlations were observed between FMQ or AMQ with ALM or MVIHS.
Conclusions: MQ measurement using Skulpt Chisel® device does not correlate with muscle mass or upper limb strength in BJJ athletes from southeastern Mexico.
References
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30. Vargas-Pinilla O-C, Rodríguez-Grande E-I. Reproducibility and agreement between three positions for handgrip assessment. Sci Rep. 2021;11(12906). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92296-8.
31. Hilal F, Pinar A, Santos de Sousa M. Statistical Effect Sizes in Sport Science. JESPAR. 2024 ;2(1). Doi: 10.5281/zenodo.12601138.
32. LFL. Lux Fight League. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://luxfightleague.com/.
33. Ambike S, Paclet F, Zatsiorsky VM, Latash ML. Factors affecting grip force: anatomy, mechanics, and referent configurations. Exp Brain Res. 2014;232(4). Doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-3838-8.
34. Branco BHM, Andreato LV, Ribeiro ED, de Oliveira HG, Almeida FN, Junior NN. Development of tables for classifying judo athletes according to maximal isometric strength and muscular power, and comparisons between athletes at different competitive levels. Sport Sci Health. 2018;14. Doi: 10.1007/s11332-018-0469-7.
35. Tavares Junior AC, Silva HS, Penedo T, et al. Correlation of the handgrip strength and body composition parameters in young judokas. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(3). Doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032707.
36. Costa O, Alonso-Aubin DA, Patrocinio de Oliveira CE, Candia-Luján R. Métodos de evaluación de la composición corporal: una revisión actualizada de descripción, aplicación, ventajas y desventajas. Arch Med Deporte. 2015;32(6).
37. Moore ML, Benavides ML, Dellinger JR, Adamson BT, Tinsley GM. Segmental body composition evaluation by bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: quantifying agreement between methods. Clin Nutr. 2020;39(9). Doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.12.009.
38. Lai Y-K, Ho C-Y, Lai C-L, Taun C-Y, Hsieh K-C. Assessment of standing multi-frequency bioimpedance analyzer to measure body composition of the whole body and limbs in elite male wrestlers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23). Doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315807.
39. Lee SY, Ahn S, Kim YJ, et al. Comparison between Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Bioelectrical Impedance Analyses for Accuracy in Measuring Whole Body Muscle Mass and Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass. Nutrients. 2018;10(6). Doi: 10.3390/nu10060738.
40. Diaz-Lara FJ, García JMG, Monteiro LF, Abian-Vicen J. Body composition, isometric hand grip and explosive strength leg–similarities and differences between novices and experts in an international competition of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Arch Budo. 2014;10(1).
41. AI MA, Dzulkifl, Dwi W, Prijo A, Bayu A, Bintang B. Does Hand Grip Correlate with Muscle Mass and Fat Mass? AJPESH. 2024;4(2). Doi: 10.15294/ajpesh.v4i2.21454.
42. McLester CN, Dewitt AD, Rooks R, McLester JR. An investigation of the accuracy and reliability of body composition assessed with a handheld electrical impedance myography device. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018;18(6). Doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1448458.
43. Grimnes S, Martinsen ØG. Sources of error in tetrapolar impedance measurements on biomaterials and other ionic conductors. J Phys D Appl Phys. 2006;40(1). Doi: 10.1088/0022-3727/40/1/S02 .
44. Sanchez B, Martinsen OG, Freeborn TJ, Furse CM. Electrical impedance myography: A critical review and outlook. Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 ;132(2). Doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.11.014.
2. Lima PO, Lima AA, Coelho AC, et al. BIOMECHANICAL DIFFERENCES IN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ATHLETES: THE ROLE OF COMBAT STYLE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017;12(1).
3. FMJ. Federación Mexicana de Jiujitsu. Accessed April 18, 2025. https://femexjiujitsu.org.mx/atletas-2/.
4. Soares WD, Santos RS, Almeida FN, de Miranda JTN, da Silva Novaes J. Determinação dos níveis de flexibilidade em atletas de karatê e jiujitsu. Motricidade. 2005;1(4).
5. Benton MJ, Spicher JM, Silva-Smith AL. Validity and reliability of handgrip dynamometry in older adults: A comparison of two widely used dynamometers. PLoS One. 2022;17(6). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270132.
6. Hernández-Martínez J, Cisterna D, Ramírez-Campillo R, et al. Association of maximal voluntary isometric handgrip strength with age, gender and handedness in older people. Rev Med Chile. 2018;146(12). Doi: 10.4067/s0034-98872018001201429.
7. Rolsted SK, Andersen KD, Dandanell G, et al. Comparison of two electronic dynamometers for measuring handgrip strength. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2024;43(3). Doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2024.101692.
8. Escobar-Molina R, Cuevas-Laguna M, Chirosa-Ríos IJ, Merino-Fernández M, Chirosa-Ríos LJ, Franchini E. Analysis of grip specificity on force production in grapplers and its effect on bilateral deficit grip specificity and bilateral deficit in force production among grapplers. Front Sports Act Liv. 2023;5. Doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1190369.
9. Almeda CG, Mangine GT, Green ZH, Feito Y, French DN. Experience, Training Preferences, and Fighting Style Are Differentially Related to Measures of Body Composition, Strength, and Power in Male Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Athletes—A Pilot Study. Sports. 2023;11(1). Doi: 10.3390/sports11010013.
10. Báez E, Franchini E, Ramirez-Campillo R, et al. Anthropometric Characteristics of Top-Class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Athletes: Role of Fighting Style. Int J Morphol. 2014;32(3). Doi: 10.4067/S0717-95022014000300048.
11. Zaras N, Stasinaki A-N, Spiliopoulou P, Hadjicharalambous M, Terzis G. Lean body mass, muscle architecture, and performance in well-trained female weightlifters. Sports. 2020;8(5). Doi: 10.3390/sports8050067.
12. Popiolek-Kalisz J, Szczygiel K. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and body composition in cardiovascular diseases. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023;48(11). Doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101911.
13. Ward LC. Bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition assessment: reflections on accuracy, clinical utility, and standardisation. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019;73(2). Doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0335-3.
14. Lee J-B, Sung B-J, Ko B-G, Cho E-H, Seo T-B. A comparative study on the reliability and validity of body composition results by impedance method measurement device. J Exerc Rehabil. 2023;19(5), Doi: 10.12965/jer.2346404.202.
15. Coronado-Zarco R, de León AO-G. Muscle quality an evolving concept. J Frailty Sarcopenia Falls. 2023;8(4). Doi: 10.22540/jfsf-08-254.
16. Aaron R, Shiffman C. Using localized impedance measurements to study muscle changes in injury and disease. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2000;904. Doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06443.x.
17. Cebrián-Ponce Á, Irurtia A, Carrasco-Marginet M, Saco-Ledo G, Girabent-Farrés M, Castizo-Olier J. Electrical impedance myography in health and physical exercise: A systematic review and future perspectives. Front Physiol. 2021;21. Doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.740877.
18. Gallo EC, Correa CAG, Mercado DAM. Miografía por impedancia eléctrica. Rev Colomb Med Fisica Rehabil. 2016;26(1). Doi: 10.28957/rcmfr.v26n1a4.
19. Rutkove SB, Sanchez B. Electrical impedance methods in neuromuscular assessment: an overview. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2019;9(10). Doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a034405.
20. Sanchez B, Rutkove SB. Present uses, future applications, and technical underpinnings of electrical impedance myography. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2017;17(11). Doi: 10.1007/s11910-017-0793-3.
21. Albano D, Gitto S, Vitale J, et al. Knee muscles composition using electrical impedance myography and magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnostics. 2022;12(9). Doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12092217.
22. Longo S, Coratella G, Rampichini S, et al. Local fat content and muscle quality measured by a new electrical impedance myography device: correlations with ultrasound variables. Eur J Sport Sci. 2021;21(3). Doi: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1751306.
23. González-Marenco R, Medina-Escobedo M, Garrido-Balam M, et al. Concordancia entre la composición corporal medida con un inbody 120 y un skulpt chisel en atletas de combate adolescentes. Rev Digit Act Fisica Depor. 2021;7(1). Doi: 10.31910/rdafd.v7.n1.42021.1509.
24. Wada. The prohibited list. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#faq-anchor.
25. Alvero-Cruz J, Gómez LC, Ronconi M, Vázquez RF, i Manzañido JP. La bioimpedancia eléctrica como método de estimación de la composición corporal: normas prácticas de utilización. Rev Andaluza Med Depor. 2011;4(4).
26. Marfell-Jones M, Olds T, Stewart A, Carter L. International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment. International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). 2006.
27. Albano D, Gitto S, Vitale J, et al. Comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and electrical impedance myography for evaluating lumbar skeletal muscle composition. BMC Musculoskel Disord. 2022;23(1). Doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05902-9.
28. D Wells A, Bellovary BN, Houck JM, et al. New multisite bioelectrical impedance device compared to hydrostatic weighing and skinfold body fat methods. Int J Exerc Sci. 2020;13(4). Doi: 10.70252/DXJN8781.
29. Roman-Liu D, Tokarski T, Mazur-Różycka J. Is the grip force measurement suitable for assessing overall strength regardless of age and gender? Measurement. 2021;176. Doi: 10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109093.
30. Vargas-Pinilla O-C, Rodríguez-Grande E-I. Reproducibility and agreement between three positions for handgrip assessment. Sci Rep. 2021;11(12906). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92296-8.
31. Hilal F, Pinar A, Santos de Sousa M. Statistical Effect Sizes in Sport Science. JESPAR. 2024 ;2(1). Doi: 10.5281/zenodo.12601138.
32. LFL. Lux Fight League. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://luxfightleague.com/.
33. Ambike S, Paclet F, Zatsiorsky VM, Latash ML. Factors affecting grip force: anatomy, mechanics, and referent configurations. Exp Brain Res. 2014;232(4). Doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-3838-8.
34. Branco BHM, Andreato LV, Ribeiro ED, de Oliveira HG, Almeida FN, Junior NN. Development of tables for classifying judo athletes according to maximal isometric strength and muscular power, and comparisons between athletes at different competitive levels. Sport Sci Health. 2018;14. Doi: 10.1007/s11332-018-0469-7.
35. Tavares Junior AC, Silva HS, Penedo T, et al. Correlation of the handgrip strength and body composition parameters in young judokas. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(3). Doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032707.
36. Costa O, Alonso-Aubin DA, Patrocinio de Oliveira CE, Candia-Luján R. Métodos de evaluación de la composición corporal: una revisión actualizada de descripción, aplicación, ventajas y desventajas. Arch Med Deporte. 2015;32(6).
37. Moore ML, Benavides ML, Dellinger JR, Adamson BT, Tinsley GM. Segmental body composition evaluation by bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: quantifying agreement between methods. Clin Nutr. 2020;39(9). Doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.12.009.
38. Lai Y-K, Ho C-Y, Lai C-L, Taun C-Y, Hsieh K-C. Assessment of standing multi-frequency bioimpedance analyzer to measure body composition of the whole body and limbs in elite male wrestlers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23). Doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315807.
39. Lee SY, Ahn S, Kim YJ, et al. Comparison between Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Bioelectrical Impedance Analyses for Accuracy in Measuring Whole Body Muscle Mass and Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass. Nutrients. 2018;10(6). Doi: 10.3390/nu10060738.
40. Diaz-Lara FJ, García JMG, Monteiro LF, Abian-Vicen J. Body composition, isometric hand grip and explosive strength leg–similarities and differences between novices and experts in an international competition of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Arch Budo. 2014;10(1).
41. AI MA, Dzulkifl, Dwi W, Prijo A, Bayu A, Bintang B. Does Hand Grip Correlate with Muscle Mass and Fat Mass? AJPESH. 2024;4(2). Doi: 10.15294/ajpesh.v4i2.21454.
42. McLester CN, Dewitt AD, Rooks R, McLester JR. An investigation of the accuracy and reliability of body composition assessed with a handheld electrical impedance myography device. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018;18(6). Doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1448458.
43. Grimnes S, Martinsen ØG. Sources of error in tetrapolar impedance measurements on biomaterials and other ionic conductors. J Phys D Appl Phys. 2006;40(1). Doi: 10.1088/0022-3727/40/1/S02 .
44. Sanchez B, Martinsen OG, Freeborn TJ, Furse CM. Electrical impedance myography: A critical review and outlook. Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 ;132(2). Doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.11.014.
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Muscle Quality Measured by an Electrical Impedance Myography Device: Correlation with Upper Limb Muscle Mass and Strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: Original Research. (2026). Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.53520/jen2026.103236
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Copyright, 2026 by the authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Muscle Quality Measured by an Electrical Impedance Myography Device: Correlation with Upper Limb Muscle Mass and Strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: Original Research. (2026). Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.53520/jen2026.103236