Sensitivity and Specificity of Anthropometric Indices in Identifying Obesity in Women over 40 Years of Age and Their Variability in Subsequent Decades of Life.

Anthropometric measurements and indices are a simple and inexpensive method to assess normal physical development and quickly identify the risk of diseases. The aim of the study was to verify the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of selected anthropometric indices in a group of women over 40 years. The study included 87 women (group I-40 to 49 years, group II-50 to 59 years, group III-60 to 69 years, and group IV-70 to 79 years). Anthropometric characteristics were measured: body mass (BM), body height (BH), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC). Body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) were calculated. The percentage of fat tissue (FT) and visceral fat volume (FV) were evaluated using DEXA. A decrease in mean BH with an increase in the mean WC, WHR, and WHTR in subsequent decades. There were strong statistically significant correlations between FT and most indicators (except for WHR). FV was correlated at a strong or moderate level with most parameters. In the group of women aged 40 to 80 years, the most favorable AUC was obtained for WC, followed by BMI. BAI can be recommended as a complementary indicator to BMI.

Determinants of the prevalence and location of musculoskeletal pain in elite Para athletes.

The tendency for musculoskeletal complaints, injuries, and traumas remains significant among Para athletes. The aim of the study was to identify and verify the variables that impact the incidence and location of musculoskeletal pain in elite athletes with disabilities. It was assumed, that the type of disability and not the type of sport, or the type of injuries and traumas is the crucial determinant of the prevalence and location of musculoskeletal pain in Para athletes. A direct-participatory observation method was used in the study including both subjective (surveys questionnaires) and objective (anthropometric) methods of assessment. The study included 35 male and female elite Para athletes from the Polish national team (sitting volleyball [SG1: n = 21], para swimming [SG2 = 14]). Both groups of Para athletes mostly reported pain in the neck (37%), and the lower back (34%). The Spearman's rank-order correlation showed several large inversely proportional relationships between somatic parameters and the values in the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire from the last 7 days (NMQ-7) for SG2 and some moderate to large correlations between body adiposity index (BAI) and the prevalence of injuries, the total number of rehabilitation sessions, the number of humeral joint and fingers rehabilitation sessions, breaks from training over 4 weeks in SG1. In both groups relationships were found between the duration of Paralympic training and the number of injuries and rehabilitation sessions (R = -0.4; P < .02) and between the exclusion from training for less 4 and over 4 weeks (R = -0.4; P < .03). The age of the Para athletes correlated with the NMQ-7 (wrists) (R = 0.4; P < .01). Both duration of disability and the type and severity of the disability may be crucial determinants of the prevalence and location of pain in the musculoskeletal system in Para athletes. Sport-specific training seems to induce specific musculoskeletal complaints.

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

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.

Musculoskeletal pain as the effect of internal compensatory mechanisms on structural and functional changes in body build and posture in elite Polish sitting volleyball players.

BACKGROUND: With the dynamic development of professional Paralympic sport, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and structural and/or functional disturbances in Para athletes constantly increases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of internal compensatory mechanisms on selected aspects of body structure and function in elite sitting volleyball players. METHODS: The study included eighteen elite sitting volleyball players (male; n = 12, female; n = 6, age; 36.0 ± 6.1, body mass; 76.6 ± 16.1, body height; 179.3 ± 0.1) from the Polish national team. Retrospective and direct participatory observation methods were used in the study. NMQ-7 was used to assess the current prevalence and location of musculoskeletal pain. The evaluation of spinal curvature and pelvic inclination was performed using a non-invasive Medi Mouse method (Idiag M360) in three different trunk positions. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistica 13.3 software package. RESULTS: Lumbar hypolordosis was a predominant sagittal deviation of spinal curvature (n = 15;83%). Low back pain (LBP) and neck pain were the most frequent complaints (50%). Statistically significant differences in the values of thoracic kyphosis angle, pelvic inclination, and spine length (SL) in sagittal standing flexion and extension were found. However, there was no statistically significant difference in sagittal standing flexion for the lumbar lordosis angle with a simultaneous significant change in pelvic inclination (66.9°). Moreover, a tendency to interpenetration of relationships between variables that characterize (a) body structure and (b) function of the spine and musculoskeletal pain were observed. Shoulder pain correlated with SL (R = 0.6; p < 0.05) and body height (R = 0.5; p < 0.05). Pelvic inclination correlated with shoulder pain, LBP (R = 0.5; p < 0.05/R = 0.6; p < 0.01), and body trunk fat mass (R = - 0.6; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Trunk fat mass induces internal compensatory mechanisms to maintain optimal pelvic inclination and sagittal spinal balance. Furthermore, the level of pelvic mobility may determine musculoskeletal pain in Para athletes with lower limb impairment.

Is body mass index (BMI) or body adiposity index (BAI) a better indicator to estimate body fat and selected cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with intellectual disabilities?

BACKGROUND: The BMI index cannot always be used in people with intellectual disabilities due to neuromuscular coordination disorders and psychological barriers that may hinder conventional body weight measurement. The study aimed to assess the usefulness of BMI and BAI in estimating obesity and body fat in people with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: The first stage of the research involved 161 people with profound intellectual disabilities. Somatic parameters (BM, BH, WC, HC) were measured and BMI, BAI, WHR were calculated. Fifty seven persons with above-normal BMI and BAI were included in the second stage of the study and biochemical parameters were determined (TC, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TG, GL). RESULTS: According to both BMI and BAI classifications, most people were overweight or obese. A high correlation of %BF with BMI and BAI indices was observed (r = 0.78). The sensitivity of both indices was 95.65%. In groups with above-normal BMI and BAI, an upward trend was found for mean values of TC, LDL, TG, and GL, with a simultaneous downward trend for HDL. Statistically significant intergroup differences were recorded for TG and GL (p < 0.05) for both indices (BMI and BAI). CONCLUSIONS: Our research demonstrated that BAI is complementary to BMI and can be recommended for the estimation of body fat and cardiometabolic risks in people with intellectual disabilities. Due to the ease of measurement, BAI has high utility value.

The Prevalence of Injuries and Traumas in Elite Goalball Players.

BACKGROUND: The last decade has seen the dynamic development of Paralympic sport, including the development of training facilities and training methods that allow for the achievement of results at the highest level in this group. This may be associated with an increased risk of injury and traumas. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and locations of injuries and the types of trauma suffered by goalball players. METHODS: The study covered 43 players (24 women and 19 men) of the Goalball European Championship. A questionnaire survey was conducted. RESULTS: The injuries were reported by 44%. Most often they concerned the upper limbs (92%). Positive correlations were found between age and prevalence of pelvis and knee joint injuries, whereas negative correlations occurred between competitive experience and the prevalence and location of injuries in the area of the upper limb. The highest percentage of trauma was found for epidermal abrasions, contusions, and dislocations. A negative correlation was observed between age and the prevalence of epidermal abrasions, whereas a positive correlation occurred between age and the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. The competitive experience was negatively correlated with the prevalence of abrasions and contusions and positively correlated with the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. A statistically significant correlation was found between body mass (BM) and the prevalence of injuries. In 23% of cases, training was interrupted for more than one month, whereas in 43%, the break was below one month. CONCLUSIONS: Playing position in goalball does not affect the prevalence of injuries and traumas, while body mass has a moderate effect on the prevalence of these events. The age of the subjects and their sports experience impact significantly on the prevalence and types of injuries.

Evaluation of Lipid Metabolism and Nutritional Status in Male Goalball Players.

Lipid disorders, obesity and overweight are considered one of the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Population surveys carried out in Poland have demonstrated a tendency for lipid disorders to occur in 70% and overweight and obesity in more than half of Poles. No such studies have been conducted in groups of people with vision impairment so far. Yet, regular involvement of visually impaired people in sports is likely to reduce cardiovascular risk. Therefore, the authors attempted to evaluate the lipid profile and nutritional status of male goalball players. Thirty two blind or visually impaired male goalball players aged 20 to 45 years participated in the study during which somatic variables (BH, BM, WC, VFR, BMI) and the lipid profile (TC, LDL, HDL, TG) were evaluated. Overweight was found in 40.6% of athletes, with obesity being at the level of 9.3%. A high correlation was found between visceral fat and the BMI (r=0.7; p<0.001), as well as between visceral fat and WC (r=0.8; p<0.001). Abnormal total cholesterol levels were recorded for LDL (22% of study participants), HDL (17%) and triglycerides (13%). Lower levels of individual components of lipid profiles (and higher levels for HDL) were found in athletes with a normal BMI. A correlation was found between the BMI and TG (r=0.4, p<0.01), WC and TG (r=0.4, p<0.01), VFR and LDL ( r=0.4, p<0.05) and TG (r=0.5, p<0.001). The percentage of overweight and obese subjects with vision impairment was lower compared to the general population of men in Poland, with a more beneficial lipid profile. Regular physical activity of the study participants is likely to have a positive effect on their health.