Characterizing link among phase angle, muscle strength, body composition variables, and urine metabolites in Japanese females with or without dysmenorrhea: A pilot study

Suraiya Khatun; Akiko Uchizawa; Emi Kondo; Katsuhiko Yajima; Analiza M Silva; Daisuke Hoshi; Yoshiaki Tanaka; Naoki Mukai; Koichi Watanabe; Naomi Omi; Kiyoji Tanaka; Hiroyuki Sagayama

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115039

Characterizing link among phase angle, muscle strength, body composition variables, and urine metabolites in Japanese females with or without dysmenorrhea: A pilot study

Physiol Behav. 2025 Oct 15:300:115039. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115039. Epub 2025 Jul 26.

Authors

Suraiya Khatun¹, Akiko Uchizawa², Emi Kondo³, Katsuhiko Yajima⁴, Analiza M Silva⁵, Daisuke Hoshi⁶, Yoshiaki Tanaka⁷, Naoki Mukai⁸, Koichi Watanabe⁹, Naomi Omi¹⁰, Kiyoji Tanaka¹¹, Hiroyuki Sagayama¹²

Affiliations

¹ Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
² Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Sports Sciences and Research, Japan Institute of Sports Sciences (JISS), Tokyo, Japan.
³ Department of Sport Sciences, Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka, Japan.
⁴ Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Sakado, Japan.
⁵ Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Movement Sciences and Sports Training, School of Sport Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
⁶ Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan; Human Informatics and Interaction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan.
⁷ Department of Sports Sciences and Research, Japan Institute of Sports Sciences (JISS), Tokyo, Japan.
⁸ Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education, Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education, Tokyo, Japan.
⁹ Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
¹⁰ Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
¹¹ Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. Electronic address: tanaka.kiyoji.ft@u.tsukuba.ac.jp.
¹² Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan. Electronic address: sagayama.hiroyuki.ka@u.tsukuba.ac.jp.

PMID: 40721077
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115039

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhea, characterized by painful menstruation, can influence body composition, muscle strength, and metabolic function. This study aimed to investigate differences and relationships between body composition variables, phase angle (PhA), muscle strength, and urine metabolites among Japanese female individuals with and without dysmenorrhea.

Methods: Thirty-four participants, divided into healthy menstruating control (n = 15) and dysmenorrhea (n = 19) groups, were included. PhA, whole body lean soft tissue (WB LST), visceral fat (VF) and subcutaneous fat (SF), hand grip strength (HGS), leg strength, and urine metabolites were measured using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography, dynamometry, and liquid chromatography, respectively.

Results: No significant differences were found in the characteristic variables. BMI, PhA, and muscle strength showed a positive association only in the control group. However, menstrual status (control/dysmenorrhea, 0/1) did not affect muscle strength. Conversely, a negative coefficient (LASSO: -0.098; Elastic net: -0.109) demonstrated that the dysmenorrhea group had lower predictive PhA values than did the control group. PhA and WB LST were identified as meaningful predictors of HGS (R² = 0.433) and leg strength (R² = 0.251). Acylcarnitine metabolites were positively associated with VF and PhA in the dysmenorrhea and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion: The study findings highlight distinct associations among body composition, PhA, muscle strength, and urinary metabolites in these female groups. However, the study is limited by the absence of severity of dysmenorrhea symptoms, phases of menstruation, and no adjustment for lifestyle factors. A future longitudinal study is warranted to understand these physiological association between the control and dysmenorrhea groups.

Keywords: Body composition; Dysmenorrhea; Metabolites; Muscle strength; Phase angle.

MeSH terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Adult
Body Composition* / physiology
Dysmenorrhea* / physiopathology
Dysmenorrhea* / urine
East Asian People
Electric Impedance
Female
Hand Strength / physiology
Humans
Japan
Muscle Strength* / physiology
Pilot Projects
Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

Japanese people