The Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference as Predictors of Body Composition in Post CSCI Wheelchair Rugby Players (Preliminary Investigations)

Abstract

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.

Effect of Compensatory Mechanisms on Postural Disturbances and Musculoskeletal Pain in Elite Sitting Volleyball Players: Preparation of a Compensatory Intervention

“…Body mass (BM) was evaluated with a chair weight. Hip (HC) and waist (WC) circumferences were measured with the use of anthropometric tape on bare skin, in a lying position and according to the recommended anthropometric techniques, i.e., HC, around the greatest convexity of the gluteal muscles below the iliac ala and WC, at the midpoint between the superior iliac crest and the lowest rib [ 13 ]. Spinal curvatures were evaluated using a non-invasive method with a Medi Mouse (Idiag M360) ( Figure 1 ), which ensures producibility, even if two different researchers perform the measurement.…”

The Impact of Internal Compensatory Mechanisms on Musculoskeletal Pain in Elite Polish Sitting Volleyball Players – A Preliminary Study

“…Calculating the BMI requires the use of accurate internal variables of the body segments ( Durkin and Dowling, 2003 ). Because of limb deficiency reported in the majority of participants, a standard BMI formula ( Zwierzchowska et al, 2014 ) could not be used, and therefore, the calculations were made based on the Browni-Fisher rate ( Bober and Zawadzki, 2003 ) and the body adiposity index (BAI) which was calculated using the formula: (BAI = hip circumference [cm]/(body height [m])1.5) –18) The proportion of total body weight assigned to different body segments was as follows: hand (1%), forearm (2%), arm (3%), head (7%), trunk (43%), thigh (12%), shank (5%), and foot (2%) ( Bober and Zawadzki, 2003 ).…”

“…A chair weight ( Figure 1 ) was used to evaluate body mass (BM). The circumferences of hips (HC) and waist (WC) were measured with the use of an anthropometric tape on bare skin, in a lying position and according to the recommended anthropometric techniques, i.e., HC – around the greatest convexity of the gluteal muscles below the iliac ala, WC – at the midpoint between the superior iliac crest and the lowest rib ( Zwierzchowska et al, 2014 ). The assessment of fat mass was performed with a Tanita Viscan AB-140 Abdominal Fat Analyzer ( Figure 2 ) which is known to be a golden standard for individuals who cannot stand in the upright position and has 95% sensitivity and reliability ( Zwierzchowska et al, 2014 ).…”

“…According to the studies by Zwierzchowska et al (2013Zwierzchowska et al ( , 2014Zwierzchowska et al ( , 2020bZwierzchowska et al ( , 2021 the BAI, in contrary to the BMI, seems to be a more reliable marker, especially for people with disabilities. Furthermore, Zwierzchowska et al (2020b) noticed that a higher BAI contributed to the deepening of the lumbar lordosis and LBP, what is consistent with the findings of Mirbagheri et al (2015).…”

<p>Frailty Phenotype: Evidence of Both Physical and Mental Health Components in Community-Dwelling Early-Old Adults</p>

“…Both devices have been previously validated and employed in clinical research. [29][30][31] Subject examination was performed at the Department of Geriatrics of the Leszek Giec Upper-Silesian Medical Centre of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice on an outpatient basis. Complete home-based examination, performed by a research team which included a nurse, was offered to participants at a scheduled date who were unable to ambulate to our medical facilities.…”