The enforced sedentary lifestyle and muscle paresis below the level of injury are associated with adipose tissue accumulation in the trunk. The value of anthropometric indicators of obesity in patients with spinal cord injuries has also been called into question. We hypothesized that the Body Mass Index recommended by the WHO to diagnose obesity in general population has too low sensitivity in case of wheelchair rugby players.The study group comprised 14 wheelchair rugby players, aged 32.6 ± 5.1 years, who had sustained CSCI (paralysis of lower limbs and upper extremities). The research tool was the Tanita Viscan visceral and trunk fat analyzer AB140 using the abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate the visceral fat level (Vfat) and trunk fat percentage (Tfat). The AB140 analyzer also allowed the measurement of body composition of those individuals who could not assume an upright position. Our analyses revealed high and very high correlation coefficients between Vfat and WC (r=0.9), WHtR (r=0.7) and Tfat (r=0.9) whereas the correlation between Vfat and the BMI was weak, especially in the subgroup with Vfat < 13.5% (r=0.2). The subgroup with Vfat>13.5 exhibited a moderate-level relationship between the BMI and visceral fat increase. It was concluded that the BMI had a low sensitivity for predicting obesity risk in wheelchair rugby players after CSCI. The sensitivity of WC measurement was higher and thus, it may be stated that it constitutes an objective tool for predicting obesity risk in post-CSCI wheelchair rugby players.

A voluntary participation in a long-term WR training program has several health promoting outcomes for individuals with chronic SCI. Among the most important are enhancement of the blood antioxidant defense capacity evidenced by lower MDA and higher EAP levels, as well as WR training-induced activation of BDNF signaling.

The objectives of the present study were twofold: to determine differences between groups by means of chosen coefficients and to create significant predictors using regression models for athletes in wheelchair rugby who had the same spinal cord injury (tetraplegia)

Objective: CSCI-related dysfunction frequently determines and generates other deficits and disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of BAI, when compared to BMI in wheelchair rugby players after cervical spinal cord injury. Methods:The study group consisted of 14 Caucasian males competing in wheelchair rugby players, aged 25-40 years (32.6 ± 5.1 years), who had sustained CSCI. All subjects were measured for body height, waist and hip circumference in centimeters, while body mass was expressed in kilograms. Body fat content was measured with the use of Viscan Tanita AB-140 utilize BIA. The existence of significant bivariate correlations among variables such as BAI, BMI, height, weight, hip circumference and % visceral fat and trunk fat determined by BIA was ascertained by means of determining Pearson correlation coefficients.Results: BMI calculated according to the standards of the general population indicated that 80% of participants fell within the norm (BMI<25), while according to BAI standards it was 40%. After classifying the participants by the cut-off points of BMI >25 kg/m 2 and BAI >21%, significant relationships were observed between BAI and the following indicators WC (r=0.9), % TF (r=0.9), % VF (r=0.8), WHR (r=0.8). Such a trend was not observed for BMI. Conclusions:The BAI can be considered a good tool for evaluating adiposity in patients with spinal cord injury. BAI is very specific and sensitive.

Introduction: Life satisfaction is a notion often combined with mental wellbeing, happiness, and contentment. This type of satisfaction directly influences the quality of life. It is believed that physical activity not only increases a functional efficiency level of people with high spinal cord trauma, but also affects their life satisfaction. The aim of the study was to assess life satisfaction of men with the spinal cord injury in the cervical, wheelchair rugby players (WR) against a control group. Material and methods:The study was conducted among 36 men after spinal cord injury in the cervical (SCI-C) -25 active athletes of Polish Wheelchair Rugby League ranked as "high score" players and "low score" players and 12 men's named "inactive", who after the injury do not undertake any physical activity. The research tool was a questionnaire of life satisfaction LiSat-9 evaluator life as a whole and some of its components, Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences between selected components of life satisfaction and temporal variables, ie. age of participants, time since injury, age at injury. Significantly higher average life satisfaction component was identified among "high score" players (4.7) compare to the value of the average of result among "low score" players (3.9) and among inactive in sports (4,0). Conclusions:The level of the life satisfaction wheelchair rugby players is varied due to their age, time since injury and age at injury. Successes in sport significantly affect the level of their life satisfaction.