Anthropometric Characteristics, Handgrip Strength, and Upper Limb Asymmetries in Highly Trained Chilean Shot Put Para-Athletes / Características Antropométricas, Fuerza de Prensión Manual y Asimetrías de Miembros Superiores en Para-Atletas Chilenos de Lanzamiento de Bala Altamente Entrenados

SUMMARY: Anthropometric characteristics, including body size, shape, and composition, can have a significant impact on sports performance due to their influence on various physiological and biomechanical factors. However, limited research has been conducted on the anthropometric characteristics of highly trained throwing para-athletes. The purpose of this study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics, handgrip strength, and upper limb bilateral asymmetries of highly trained Chilean shot put para-throwers. Five male Chilean shot put para-athletes (average age of 38.8 ± 7.7 years) were assessed for their anthropometric characteristics, including skinfold thickness at six anatomical sites, girth at five sites, and bone breadth at two sites. Handgrip strength and bilateral asymmetries were also measured. The body mass and height of the athletes were found to be 90.5 ± 5.1 kg and 179.1 ± 8.9 cm, respectively. The athletes were found to have an endo-mesomorph somatotype (4.4-6.9-1.0) with high levels of fat mass (25.7 ± 2.8 %) and skeletal muscle mass (39.1 ± 3.7 %). The handgrip strength of the athletes was found to be 66.4 ± 6.7 kg with a bilateral asymmetry of 6.5 ± 6.2 %, with the dominant hand showing greater strength. The results indicate that the shot put para-athletes have a somatotype characterized by increased muscularity and body fat, along with a considerable stature. Although handgrip strength was found to be high, the athletes showed bilateral asymmetry, which requires further investigation to determine the cause and implications.

Las características antropométricas, incluido el tamaño, forma y composición del cuerpo, pueden tener un impacto significativo en el rendimiento deportivo debido a su influencia en diversos factores fisiológicos y biomecánicos. Sin embargo, las investigaciones sobre las características antropométricas para-atletas de lanzamiento altamente entrenados son limitadas. El propósito de este estudio fue describir las características antropométricas, la fuerza de prensión manual y las asimetrías bilaterales de miembros superiores de paralanzadores chilenos altamente entrenados en lanzamiento de la bala. Se evaluaron las características antropométricas de cinco atletas masculinos chilenos de lanzamiento de bala (edad promedio de 38,8 ± 7,7 años), incluido el grosor de los pliegues cutáneos en seis sitios anatómicos, la circunferencia en cinco sitios y la anchura de los huesos en dos sitios. También se midieron la fuerza de prensión manual y las asimetrías bilaterales. Se encontró que la masa corporal y la altura de los atletas eran 90,5 ± 5,1 kg y 179,1 ± 8,9 cm, respectivamente. Los atletas tenían un somatotipo endo-mesomorfo (4.4-6.9-1.0) con altos niveles de masa grasa (25.7 ± 2.8 %) y masa muscular esquelética (39.1 ± 3.7 %). Se encontró además que la fuerza de prensión manual de los atletas era de 66,4 ± 6,7 kg con una asimetría bilateral de 6,5 ± 6,2 %, mostrando mayor fuerza la mano dominante. Los resultados indican que los atletas de lanzamiento de bala tienen un somatotipo caracterizado por una mayor musculatura y grasa corporal, junto con una estatura considerable. Aunque se encontró que la fuerza de agarre era alta, los atletas mostraron asimetría bilateral, lo que requiere de más investigaciones para determinar las causa e implicaciones.

Adaptive physical activity and its health benefits for patients with spinal cord injury based on ICF: a scoping review / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo analyze adaptive physical activity interventions and their health benefits for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). MethodsA combination of subject headings and free words was employed to search for relevant literature on physical activity in patients with SCI in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and CNKI, from January, 2017 to July, 2022. A scoping review was conducted. ResultsEight English articles were included, from Australia, the United States, Estonia, Canada, Netherlands and Brazil. The study involved 150 patients with SCI and included seven randomized controlled trials and one non-randomized controlled trial. These literatures were primarily from journals in the fields of SCI, neurology, neuromuscular medicine and physical activity, with publication dates concentrated between 2017 and 2021. The included studies involved participants with complete or incomplete SCI, presenting with paraplegia, tetraplegia, and various levels of injury severity (grades A to D). The main functional disorders related to ICF included b710 mobility of joint functions, b715 stability of joint functions, b720 mobility of bone functions, b730 muscle power functions, b735 muscle tone functions, b750 motor reflex functions, b760 control of voluntary movement functions and b770 gait pattern functions; the functions involved in activities and participation included d410 changing basic body position, d415 maintaining a body position, d420 transferring oneself, d445 hand and arm use, d450 walking, d455 moving around, d570 looking after one's health, d610 acquiring a place to live, d910 community life, d920 recreation and leisure; the environmental factors involved were e1151 assistive products and technology for personal use in daily living, and e1401 assistive products and technology for culture, recreation and sport. Physical activity intervention sites mainly included home, community, medical or rehabilitation institutions. The physical activity could be classified into prevention, health promotion, treatment and rehabilitation. Patients with SCI had completed acute and subacute rehabilitation in medical and rehabilitation institutions, and returned to their families and communities, and some of them received services in medical and rehabilitation institutions from time to time. The forms of physical activity included strength training combined with routine nursing, short-term resistance training, hydrotherapy and robot treadmill activities, functional electrical stimulation and therapeutic exercise, progressive exercise training based on exoskeleton of power machine, leg bicycle assisted by electrical stimulation combined with manual bicycle, and acute exercise with different intensity. The activity frequency was twelve to 60 minutes a time, two to three times a week, lasting for three to 16 weeks, and the activity intensity was mainly medium to high. The health benefits of physical activity on patients with SCI were mainly reflected in four aspects: physical and mental health, activity and behavior health, environmental factors, quality of life and well-being. In terms of physical and mental health, it helped to improve muscle function (muscle strength, strength perception), walking function (walking speed, walking distance), respiratory and circulatory system functions (peak oxygen uptake, aerobic endurance, cardiopulmonary function, reducing the risk of cardiopulmonary diseases, etc.), immune system related functions, and improving psychosocial function (fatigue degree). In terms of activity and behavioral health, it was helpful to improve activity skills and abilities. In terms of environmental factors, the availability and effectiveness of some auxiliary equipment were confirmed. In terms of quality of life and well-being, it could improve self-living ability and quality of life. ConclusionThis study established a PICO framework for adaptive physical activity and its health effects in patients with SCI based on ICF. Physical activity for patients with SCI can be conducted in various settings, including home, community, or medical and rehabilitation institutions. The physical activities of patients with SCI are characterized by wheelchair-based adaptive physical activities, which are mainly divided into two categories: various aerobic exercises and resistance exercises based on wheelchairs, and physical activities based on auxiliary exercise equipment or intervention methods (such as robot treadmill, power machine exoskeleton, functional electrical stimulation, etc.). The frequency of physical activity in patients with SCI is twelve to 60 minutes a time, two to three times a week, lasting for three to 16 weeks, and the activity intensity is maily medium to high. Therapists and rehabilitation professionals can provide guidance and support through various means, such as online or offline supervision and one-on-one coaching, to promote the health benefits of physical activity for patients with SCI, including improved physical and psychological function, enhanced activity levels, reduced sedentary behavior, and increased self-care abilities and quality of life.