Body composition analyzer

Upon arrival at the Nutrition Unit, height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a wall-mounted stadiometer (first visit only). While wearing light garments, body mass (kg) and body fat (%) were assessed by Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (BC-418 MA; Ill, USA) using standard settings (normal adult body type and 1 kg for clothing) at week 0, 8, 12 and 20.

All the participants were assessed by the following three validated single frequency BIA devices [18 (link)–21 (link)] in the same order: (1) Body Composition Analyzer, Model: BC-418 (hand-to-feet) (Tanita, Illinois, USA) (2) Digital Weight Scale, Model TBF-314 (foot-to-foot), (Tanita, Illinois, USA) and (3) Fat Loss Monitor, Model: HBF-306CN (hand-to-hand), (Omron, Kyoto, Japan). The two Tanita devices output total and regional body composition and impedance data while the Omron machine only outputs total percent fat mass.

All participants had a baseline clinical assessment, such as demographic and medical data, history of chronic illnesses, smoking and alcohol and drug intake. Anthropometric data, including body weight, height and body mass index (BMI), were measured using a Tanita body composition analyzer. Results were shown on an easy-to-read display screen and printed on a sheet. Waist circumference (WC) was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a flexible plastic tape at the mid-point between the lower ribs and iliac crest.

Potential participants were invited to the laboratory at least 10-days before the main test for a familiarization visit. During this visit, participants were screened for inclusion/exclusion criteria into the study. Eligible participants were shown the designated experimental area and provided with an opportunity to try some of the experimental activities (e.g. walking on the treadmill), familiarize themselves with the gas mask, and ask questions about the protocol. During this visit, anthropometric measures were taken which included height (measured using a portable stadiometer, Seca UK), waist circumference (measured mid-way between the lower rib margin and the iliac crest using anthropometry tape) and body weight and composition (measured using a Tanita Body Composition Analyzer, model: BC-418 MA, Tanita, UK).

The second experiment included 16 healthy men without exercise habits, smoking, or medication were included in the experiment. Sixteen young men were randomly divided into an SFN supplement group (SFN group) or a control group (CON group). There were no differences in physical characteristics between the two groups (Table 2). All subjects were instructed to avoid strenuous exercise, drinking, massage, and medication during the study duration. Before the experiment, the height, body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and body skeletal muscle weight were measured with a body composition analyzer (Tanita). Moreover, the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the biceps was measured using Biodex system 4 (Sakai Med. Co.,). The participants started taking supplements after a 2‐week washout period after the MVC was measured. On the exercise day, subjects took supplements after arriving at the lab. Afterward, blood samples and measurements at Ex‐Pre were taken, which took 10–20 min. After that, exercise was performed within 30 min. Over the next 4 days, all body functions were analyzed within 30 min of taking the supplement. All measurements were performed by the same evaluator who was unaware of the group allocation.

The anthropometric measurements were recorded for all the subjects: body weight (kg), body height (cm), BMI were determined based on these results, waist and hip circumference (cm), as well as the ratio between waist and hip circumference (WC/HC) and body fat mass were assessed by Tanita Body Composition Analyzer.