Body Composition and Lifestyles in Athletes With Disabilities

Body Mass

Measure: body mass. Unit of Measure: kilograms (kg). Description: measured using a SECA 862 scale or SECA 676 wheelchair scale according to the ISAK protocol.

Linear Dimensions (Stature, Girths, Lengths and Breadths)

Measures: stretch stature, sitting height, arm span, girths, lengths and breadths. Unit of Measure: centimeters (cm). Description: stretch stature and sitting height will be measured using a SECA 217 stadiometer; arm span will be measured using a Smartmet arm-span device; girths will be measured using an inextensible Smartmet metal tape; breadths will be measured using a Holtain small sliding caliper and a Realmet large sliding caliper; and lengths will be determined using a Smartmet segmometer according to the ISAK protocol.

Skinfolds

Measure: skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, biceps, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal, thigh and calf). Unit of Measure: millimeters (mm). Description: measured with a Holtain skinfold caliper following the ISAK protocol.

Body Composition Variables

Measures: fat mass, fat-free mass, adipose mass, muscle mass, and bone mass. Unit of Measure: kilograms (kg). Description: fat mass will be estimated using the Katch-McArdle (1973) equation, based on body mass and selected skinfolds; fat-free mass will be estimated as the difference between body mass and fat mass; adipose mass will be estimated using the Kerr (1991) equation, based on stretch stature and selected skinfolds; muscle mass will be estimated using the Lee (2000) equation, based on stretch stature and corrected girths; and bone mass will be estimated using the Rocha (1974) equation, based on stretch stature and selected breadths.

Dietary intake assessed using the Food4Me FFQ

A questionnaire validated in terms of content, applicability, structure, and presentation by University College Dublin and Crème Software Ltd. will be used (Food4Me FFQ). It is a self-administered, online, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. It comprises a total of 24 questions divided into two main sections. The first section collects the participant's age, the team they play for (which identifies the participant's sex), and playing position. The second section includes 21 questions assessing the intake of various food and beverage groups over the previous month (average intake of 157 foods). Consumption frequency is assessed by selecting one of the following options: never or less than once per month; 1-3 times per month; once per week; 2-4 times per week; 5-6 times per week; once per day; 2-3 times per day; 5-6 times per day; and \>6 times per day.

Supplement consumption assessed using the Sports Supplement Intake Questionnaire

A questionnaire validated using qualitative methodology and self-administered either in person or online will be used. The questionnaire comprises a total of 34 questions divided into three main sections. The first section, comprising 6 questions, collects anthropometric data such as age, body mass, and height; personal data such as sex and date of birth; and sociodemographic information such as the autonomous community of residence. The second section includes 10 questions covering sport participation and its context, including the team/sports club, competition level, years of practice, and training and competition schedules. The final section, consisting of 14 questions, focuses on sports supplement consumption, namely which sports supplements participants consume, why they consume them, who advises them to consume them, where they purchase them, when they take them, and their perceived effects after consumption.

Physical Activity Level assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF)

The IPAQ-SF comprises 9 items and records the activity of four intensity levels: vigorous-intensity acitivity, moderate-intensity acitivity, walking and sitting. This version does not allow for a detailed assessment of physical activity across each domain of daily life; however, it integrates aspects of all domains, enabling the recording of total time and energy expenditure. Both versions assess three specific characteristics of activity: intensity (light, moderate, or vigorous), frequency (measured in days per week), and duration (time per day).