A Comparison of Methods for the Estimation of Body Composition in Highly Trained Wheelchair Games Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement in body composition measurements of wheelchair athletes using skinfolds, bio-impedance analysis (BIA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) relative to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A secondary objective was to develop new skinfold prediction equations to estimate %fat for this sample. 30 wheelchair games players were recruited and the body composition outcomes of BIA, ADP, and skinfolds were compared to the DXA outcomes by a paired-samples t-test (systematic bias), intraclass correlation (ICC, relative agreement) and Bland-Altman plots (absolute agreement). Regression models to predict the %fat as measured by DXA by the sum of skinfolds or BIA were calculated. Results showed that the predictions of %fat when using BIA, ADP or skinfolds systematically underestimated the %fat mass as measured by the DXA. All ICC values, except for the measurement of fat (kg) by ADP (ICC=0.702), were below 0.7. New prediction models found the ?7 skinfolds and calf circumference as the best model to predict %fat (R2=0.84). In conclusion, BIA, ADP and existing skinfolds equations should be used with caution when estimating %fat of wheelchair athletes with substantial body asymmetry, lower body muscular atrophy and upper body muscular development.

Effect of self-guided training for the HandbikeBattle on body composition in people with spinal cord injury

“…The BMI (20.8-22.5 kg/m 2 ), WC (67.8-75.4 cm) and waist/hip ratio (0.87-0.95) in wheelchair athletes with SCI [15] were much lower than in our group. Goosey-Tolfrey et al [16] measured the percentage fat mass by, among others, skinfolds (19.1% fat mass) and BIA (18.4% fat mass) in 30 wheelchair games players and found 6-10% lower values. These results indicated that the body composition of the participants of the HandbikeBattle is mostly comparable to the body composition of general wheelchair users with SCI.…”

The Anthropometric, Physiological, and Strength-Related Determinants of Handcycling 15-km Time-Trial Performance

“…17 Percentage body fat was not calculated as no validated four-site skinfold predication equations currently exists in the literature for disabled population groups with substantial body asymmetry as a result of amputation or lower body muscular atrophy due to spinal cord injury. 15…”

Thermoregulatory Responses during Competitive Wheelchair Rugby Match Play

“…International, West Sussex, UK) were taken for all participants (n = 17) in a seated position from the biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailliac to calculate the sum of skinfolds (mm). However, to get a true reflection of body composition for individuals with an SCI, according to recent studies, [12] a DXA scan was performed for seven of SCI using a Lunar Prodigy Advance DXA scanner (GE Lunar, Madison, WI, USA) following procedures procedures previously described [18]. The compartments measured were total body fat and lean tissue mass.…”