Analysis of the body composition of Paralympic athletes: Comparison of two methods

Validation of assessments to accurately analyze the body composition of highly trained sitting volleyball players: A pilot study

Body composition is a fundamental component of physical fitness related to the performance of Sitting volleyball (SV) players. Also, establishing the best method for evaluating the body composition of these para-athletes would be highly necessary for this field. The purpose of this study was (1) to describe the body composition of male and female highly trained SV players, (2) to compare the values obtained from this population by two different methods and (3) to establish validity on one of these methods. Thirteen Brazilian SV national team players (five males and eight females) participated in this study. The air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) method as the criterion assessment and the skinfolds (SF) method were conducted for each player. Results showed that there were no significant differences between the values of all players, which ADP and SF measured for body fat percentage (BF%) and body density (BD) (p > 0.05). We found significantly different values between male and female players for BF% by SF (p = 0.04) and BD by SF (p = 0.04). A high degree of reliability was found between ADP and SF measures for BF% and BD. There were statistically significant positive correlations between BF% and BD in all values for both methods (p < 0.01). This pilot study suggests that considering the magnitude of space, expense, and other limitations related to the ADP method against the SF method, we recommend using the SF method, which is a valid, viable and reliable method for measuring body composition in elite SV players.

Forced Sedentariness and Sports Activity as Factors Differentiating Anthropometric Characteristics, Indices, and Body Composition in People with Disabilities

Simple Summary

People with disabilities, especially those with musculoskeletal disabilities, are prone to leading forced sedentary lifestyles due to their limitations. Inactivity or reduced physical activity affect their body composition and physique. There are also athletes among people with disabilities. The sports they practice can compensate for physical inactivity in everyday life. The aim of our study was to demonstrate that forced sedentariness and varied sports activity are factors differentiating between anthropometric characteristics, indices, and body composition of individuals with disabilities, including Polish Para athletes (track and field athletes, sitting volleyball players, and wheelchair rugby players). It was found that non-athletes had the highest levels of obesity indices compared to Para athletes. Furthermore, in the group of Polish Para athletes, sitting volleyball players had the highest values of obesity indices. The results of the present study indicate that forced sedentariness and sports activity among individuals with disabilities differentiate body structure and physique.

Abstract

Introduction: Although the assessment of physique and body composition poses methodological, technical, and interpretative difficulties, it is of great importance for the health of people with disabilities. The aim of the study was to demonstrate that sedentariness and sports activity are factors differentiating anthropometric characteristics, indices, and body composition in people with physical disabilities. Materials and methods: Fifty-eight people were examined: 48 elite Polish Para athletes, including Paralympic track and field athletes (PTF, n = 8), sitting volleyball players (SV, n = 15), wheelchair rugby players (WR, n = 25), and individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI, n = 10). Body mass (BM), body height (BH), body length (BL), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body fat percentage (%FT), and visceral fat rating (VFR) were measured. Furthermore, BMI, BMIcorrected, and body adiposity index (BAI) were evaluated. Results: The highest WC, BAI, %FT, and VFR were found for the CSCI group. The type of sport significantly differentiated between anthropometric features, indices, and body composition of the athletes. Sitting volleyball players achieved the highest mean BM (83.9), WC (92.9), HC (103.7), BMI (24.5), BAI (23.4), and VFR (12.6). The highest %FT (28.9) was found in wheelchair rugby players. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that forced sedentariness and sports activity among individuals with disabilities differentiate body structure and physique.

Anthropometry, body composition, and athletic performance in specific field tests in Paralympic athletes with different disabilities

Purpose

The structural appearance of each disabled athlete or the shape of their body, as determined by their individual genotype and influenced by the environment, considerably affects their technical and physical performance. This study sought to examine the morphological characteristics of elite track and field athletes with different disabilities, including their possible effects on physical and physiological performance.

Methods

A total of 66 male elite athletes with cerebral palsy (n = 12), upper arm amputation (n = 12), short stature (n = 20), or intellectual disability (n = 22) were included. For each athlete, height, weight, sitting height, arm span and four skin folds were assessed; ape index, body mass index, body fat percentage, fat mass, fat mass index and fat-free mass values were calculated; and vertical jump, drop jump, countermovement jump, squat jump, repeated sprint ability and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 tests were performed.

Results

Significant differences were noticed between short stature and the other groups concerning morphological characteristics, however, the best motor performance was observed in amputees and, to a lesser degree, in short stature. In the top performing athletes, physical performance was significantly correlated with body mass index and fat mass index for amputees, and with arm span, ape index, body fat percentage and fat mass index for short stature. Regression analysis revealed that regardless of disability type, physical and physiological performance (except maximum heart rate) were significantly influenced primarily by adipose tissue-specific variables. A significant effect of height, weight, fat free mass, arm span, sitting height, and ape index on drop jump performance with left leg, maximal oxygen consumption, and maximum heart rate was also noticed. The type of disability affects performance in the squat jump and vertical jump tests, and to a lesser extent in the countermovement jump test.

Effects of intensity-matched exercise at different intensities on inflammatory responses in able-bodied and spinal cord injured individuals

Objective: To compare the effects of intensity-matched acute exercise at different intensities on proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines between able-bodied (AB) and spinal cord injured (SCI) individuals.Design: Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.Setting: Community settings in São Paulo - Brazil.Participants: Eight AB and nine SCI paraplegic.Interventions: Participants underwent three exercise sessions at different relative intensities: at ventilatory threshold 1 intensity (VT1), 15% below VT1, and 15% above VT1. Similar energy expenditures were established from exercises with different intensities for each volunteer. The AB group was tested on a conventional treadmill, whereas the SCI group was tested on a treadmill adapted for wheelchair use. Blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately after, and 30 min after the exercise sessions.Outcome measures: Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 2, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, interleukin 10 and tumoral necrosis factor alpha were measured.Results: When groups were compared, interleukin - 2 was found higher, whereas interleukin - 4 and interleukin - 10 were found lower in the SCI group at all collection times in the three exercise intensities (all P < 0.05). Interleukin - 1 receptor antagonist was found higher immediately after exercise at VT1, 15% above VT1 and 30 min after 15% below VT1 in the AB group (all P < 0.05). In the AB group, an increase in interleukin - 6 immediately after the exercise at VT1 compared with baseline was found (P = 0.01).Conclusion: Individuals with SCI may have to perform physical exercise at a higher volume or energy expenditure than AB individuals to obtain similar anti-inflammatory benefits of acute exercise.Trial registration: Uniform Trial Number identifier: U1111-1232-8142.

Anthropometrical Features of Para-Footballers According to Their Cerebral Palsy Profiles and Compared to Controls

Cerebral palsy (CP) football is a team para-sport practiced by para-athletes with eligible impairments of hypertonia, athetosis, and ataxia. This study aimed: (1) to describe the anthropometrical and body composition profiles of international CP para-footballers with different CP profiles (i.e., spastic diplegia, athetosis/ataxia, spastic hemiplegia, and minimum impairment); (2) to analyze the differences between both affected/nondominant and nonaffected/dominant sides; and (3) to compare the sample of international-level CP para-footballers (n = 141) with a sample of highly trained able-bodied footballers (n = 39). Anthropometric measures included four breadths, nine girths, and six skinfolds, while body composition was measured through fat mass (including Carter's, Faulkner's, and Withers' equations), muscle mass (Lee's equation), and bone mass (Rocha's and Martin's equations). This study found differences between the able-bodied footballers and the following impairment profiles: spastic diplegia (skinfolds); ataxia/athetosis (corrected calf of the nondominant side, and calf skinfolds for both sides); and spastic hemiplegia (all measurements excepting femur breadth, and thigh and ankle girths). No differences were found between para-athletes with minimum impairment and the able-bodied footballers. This study demonstrates that football players with or without physical impairments of hypertonia athetosis or ataxia may be considered homogeneous in shape when dominant size is compared. Besides, the study provides reference scores on anthropometric measures and body composition of international-level CP para-footballers that can help sports coaches and physical trainers to monitor physical fitness of their para-athletes.