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

Somatotype Analysis of International Football Players with Cerebral Palsy: A Comparison with Non-Disabled Football Players

Football for people with cerebral palsy is a para-sport involving ambulant athletes with impairments, such as hypertonia, ataxia, or athetosis. The objective of the present study was to describe the somatotype of a representative sample of international football players according to different functional profiles of cerebral palsy, including spastic diparesis, athetosis/ataxia, spastic hemiparesis, and minimum impairment criteria, and to compare it with non-disabled football players. A total of 144 international para-footballers and 39 non-disabled footballers participated in the study, and their somatotype was calculated using anthropometric measurements. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the groups to determine and assess the differences between the different functional profiles, and the analysis of anthropometric variables and body composition showed no differences. Regarding somatotype, a predominance of the mesomorphic component was observed in all subgroups, and differences in somatotype were also found between non-disabled footballers and para-footballers with spastic hemiparesis and minimum impairment criteria. This study suggests that there may be a degree of homogeneity in terms of somatotype among footballers with or without physical impairments, such as hypertonia, athetosis, or ataxia. Furthermore, it provides reference values of international-level para-football players for the different sport classes, which can help coaches and trainers monitor athletes' physical conditions.

Analysis of scored goals in the cerebral palsy football World Cup

This study aimed to report the goal patterns in cerebral palsy (CP) football for a better understanding of the performance of this para-sport. All goals (270) of the 48 2019 IFCPF World Cup matches were analysed through match reports, and 65% of them were analysed by video footage. The results showed 5.6 goals per match. Teams that scored more and conceded fewer goals correlated to a better ranking position in the championship (r= 0.72-0.73; p< 0.01). The distribution of goals scored was not biased by halves (49.3% vs 50.7%; χ²= 0.1; p= 0.88) nor by 15-min periods (26.3% vs 23.0% vs 23.3% vs 27.4%; χ²= 0.5; p= 0.92). In 91.7% of the matches, the team which scored the first goal went on to win the match (χ²= 81.5; p< 0.01). FT3 players scored more goals by player (χ²= 22.1; p< 0.01), while there were no statistical differences in the distribution of goals conceded by goalkeepers according to their sport class (χ²= 4.7; p= 0.09). The goals were scored mainly from organized attacks (74.4%), from the penalty area (52.5%) and through individual action (51.9%). All this information could be crucial for coaches in CP football to plan their game strategies.

Comparison of the Physical Response During Official Matches and Small-Sided Games in International Cerebral Palsy Footballers: Implications for Evidence-Based Classification

This study aimed to analyze whether there are differences and associations in the physical responses in international-level cerebral palsy footballers between official matches and 2v2 small-sided games (2v2-SSG). One hundred seventy international cerebral palsy footballers participated in this study during three international championships. The physical responses of mean and maximum velocities, total distance, distance covered at different intensities, short-term actions, and player load were collected during 2v2-SSG and the real competition. The mean velocity, total distance, jogging, medium- and high-intensity distances, the number of moderate/high accelerations, decelerations, and player load were relatively higher in the 2v2-SSG than in the official matches. Even though the 2v2-SSG could become an appropriate drill to include during the classification process, due to the differences between a 2v2-SSG and the official competition, it is necessary to deepen the scientific knowledge for developing observation methods during real competition to strengthen the relationships between eligible impairments and activity limitation.

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.

Body Composition and Physical Health in Sports Practice: An Editorial

The assessment of the health status of athletes, at all ages, is an aspect of fundamental importance, and, in recent years, the analysis of body composition has become a fundamental and essential part in its evaluation, such as in the optimization of sports performance [...].