Body Composition and Lifestyles in Athletes With Disabilities

The field of disability, there is a notable lack of standardized data on anthropometric measurements, physical activity practices, and food and/or supplement intake among athletes with disabilities. This gap limits our understanding of key physiological, nutritional, and biomechanical aspects of this population, making it difficult to generate evidence-based knowledge applicable to their health, athletic performance, and overall well-being. In the absence of specific data, designing personalized and effective nutrition or training programs becomes more challenging and imprecise. The diversity in types of disabilities, functional classifications, and levels of physical activity demands an evidence-based approach to ensure that interventions are safe, effective, and tailored to the individual needs of athletes. Anthropometric assessment, dietary and supplement intake evaluation, as well as physical activity practices are measurable factors related to the nutritional health status of athletes with disabilities, directly influencing their physical performance and contributing to safer and more effective sports participation. Establishing reference tables or consumption patterns will allow for comparisons between different types of disabilities and/or functional classes. These comparisons are essential to identify trends and develop targeted intervention strategies that benefit the broader population of athletes with disabilities.