Hugo Tapia Gallardo; Bastian Parada-Flores; Álvaro Levin Catrilao; Miriam Rojas-Luna; Rodrigo Muñoz Cofré & Exal Garcia-Carrillo
Motor disability represents a growing challenge. Wheelchair users (WUs) who participate in adapted sports show favorable adaptations in body composition; however, evidence regarding the relationship between anthropometric variables and physical performance in recreational wheelchair users remains limited. This study aimed to describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and physical performance of a case series of active wheelchair users and to explore associations among these variables. A descriptive case series was conducted involving six active wheelchair users (n = 6) during the XI Paralympic Games at Universidad Católica del Maule, Chile. Anthropometric measurements, skinfold thicknesses, body composition, and physical performance were assessed. Participants had a mean age of 29.2 ± 10.1 years, a mean body mass of 70.9 ± 24.8 kg, and a mean body fat percentage of 27.7 ± 9.4 %. Descriptive correlation analysis revealed strong associations (r ≥ 0.70) between body mass and throwing performance (r = 0.94), body mass and maximum acceleration (r = 0.94), arm span and left-hand grip strength (r = 0.94), and fat mass and maximum velocity (r = 0.94). In this case series of six active wheelchair users, body mass, arm span, and fat mass showed strong descriptive associations with physical performance variables. However, these findings are exploratory and require confirmation in larger samples. This study highlights the need for assessment protocols specifically validated for wheelchair users.
KEY WORDS: Athletic performance; Sports for persons with disabilities; Anthropometry; Performance; Muscle strength.
TAPIA, G. H.; PARADA-FLORES, B.; LEVIN, C. A.; ROJAS- LUNA, M.; MUÑOZ, C. R.; GARCIA-CARRILLO, E. Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and physical fitness in physically active wheelchair users: A descriptive case study Int. J. Morphol., 44(4):1417-1423, 2026.
