25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Vitamin D3 Supplementation During Postacute Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation.

Background: Insufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with falls, fractures, and worse overall health outcomes. We evaluated 25(OH)D levels in individuals with spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D) during postacute rehabilitation who received vitamin D3 supplementation according to routine clinical practice. Associations with clinical outcomes were also assessed.

Energy Availability and Nutritional Intake during Different Training Phases of Wheelchair Athletes.

Optimizing nutritional intake and timing helps athletes to improve performance and long-term health. Different training phases can require varying nutritional needs. In this study, we conducted a descriptive assessment of dietary intake, energy availability (EA), and blood biochemical parameters in elite wheelchair athletes during distinct training phases.

Validity of a Wheelchair Rugby Field Test to Simulate Physiological and Thermoregulatory Match Outcomes.

The purpose of the study was to verify the criterion-validity (concurrent) of an existing and reliable, submaximal wheelchair Rugby (WCR) field test by examining the correlations of selected measures of physical performance between the field test and real games. Therefore, ten WCR athletes were observed during two WCR real games and during completing the field test two times. Total distance, mean and peak velocity, playing time, number of sprints, sprints per minute, mean and maximal heart rate, body core temperature (Tc), sweat rate, body weight loss, rate of perceived exertion and thermal sensation were measured.

Sports nutrition knowledge in athletes with a spinal cord injury and coaches of para sports.

Sports nutrition for athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is complex, making it challenging for athletes to stay informed. The aim of this study was to assess sports nutrition knowledge in athletes with an SCI and coaches of para sports. The secondary aim was to report sources of sports nutrition information.

Reliability of a Submaximal Field Test in Wheelchair Rugby.

The aim was to investigate the test-retest reliability of performance and physiological variables of a submaximal wheelchair rugby field test. Eight trained wheelchair rugby athletes with a spinal cord injury (age: median 40, interquartile range 6.9 y; body mass: median 77.

Case Study: Improving Energy Status in a Wheelchair Athlete With Suppressed Resting Energy Expenditure.

Purpose: Wheelchair athletes experience a reduction in fat-free mass due to the underlying condition and/or muscle disuse. This leads to a lower resting energy expenditure (REE), as well as a lower energy expenditure during exercise or daily activities. Traditional markers of low energy availability (LEA), including amenorrhea and low bone mineral density, are often inconclusive in wheelchair athletes.

The feasibility of a crossover, randomized controlled trial design to assess the effect of probiotics and prebiotics on health of elite Swiss para-athletes: a study protocol.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause an autonomic imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to deficits in colonic motility, mucosal secretions, vascular tone, and an increase of intestinal barrier permeability. Autonomic denervation and factors such as age, physical activity, antibiotic use and stress may cause intestinal bacterial translocation, decreased microbiota diversity, known as gut dysbiosis and thus increase susceptibility to experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort. Probiotic treatment in individuals with SCI may normalize the gut microbiota and improve overall health.

Physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Physical inactivity in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) has been suggested to be an important determinant of increased cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk. However, it remains unclear whether physically active SCI individuals as compared to inactive or less active individuals have truly better cardiometabolic risk profile. We aimed to systematically review and quantify the association between engagement in regular physical activity and/or exercise interventions and CMD risk factors in individuals with SCI.

Characteristics of Official Wheelchair Basketball Games in Hot and Temperate Conditions.

This study compared performance parameters of two wheelchair basketball games under hot (30.3 °C, 52% relative humidity) and temperate (21.6 °C, 30% relative humidity) environmental conditions and described the characteristics of wheelchair basketball.

Nutritional Considerations for Para-Cycling Athletes: A Narrative Review.

Para-cycling is a sport including athletes with different disabilities competing on the track and on the roads using bicycles, tandems, tricycles, and handbikes. Scientific literature in this special population is scarce, especially in the field of sports nutrition. This review summarizes the physiological aspects and demands of para-cycling.

Exercise Capacity, Functioning and Quality of Life 12 Weeks after Traumatic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: A spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to patho-physiological changes that can affect physical and psychological performance. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the relationship between exercise capacity, functioning and quality of life in patients 12 weeks after traumatic paraplegia participating in early rehabilitation.

Material And Methods: 13 patients participated in this study and performed cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on an arm-crank ergometer to determine peak exercise capacity (VO2peak).

Carbohydrate Considerations for Athletes with a Spinal Cord Injury.

The Paralympic movement is growing in popularity, resulting in increased numbers of athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI) competing in various sport disciplines. Athletes with an SCI require specialized recommendations to promote health and to maximize performance, as evidenced by their metabolic and physiological adaptations. Nutrition is a key factor for optimal performance; however, scientifically supported nutritional recommendations are limited.

Protein Considerations for Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury.

Athlete participation in the Paralympic games is steadily increasing; prompting research focused on the unique needs of this population. While the Paralympic Games includes a diversity of athletes, athletes with a spinal cord injury (PARA-SCI) represent a subgroup that requires specialized recommendations. Nutritional guidelines designed to optimize performance, in the context of the neurological impairments, are required.

The Thermoregulatory and Thermal Responses of Individuals With a Spinal Cord Injury During Exercise, Acclimation and by Using Cooling Strategies-A Systematic Review.

In individuals with a spinal cord injury thermoregulatory mechanisms are fully or partially interrupted. This could lead to exercise-induced hyperthermia in temperate conditions which can be even more distinct in hot conditions. Hyperthermia has been suggested to impair physiological mechanisms in athletes, which could negatively influence physical performance and subjective well-being or cause mild to severe health issues.

Key Nutritional Considerations for Youth Winter Sports Athletes to Optimize Growth, Maturation and Sporting Development.

Despite a wealth of sport nutrition guidelines for adult athletes, there are currently no nutrition guidelines for youth winter sports athletes. Whilst it may be pragmatic to apply nutrition guidelines for adult athletes to youth winter sports athletes, it is inappropriate. Due to a paucity of research on youth athletes, it is impossible to provide evidence-based guidelines for this population, so careful extrapolation from the theoretical and practical considerations that apply to other athletic groups is necessary.

Energy Availability in Male and Female Elite Wheelchair Athletes over Seven Consecutive Training Days.

Background: Low energy availability (LEA) is a major problem as athletes often restrict their energy intake. It has been shown that LEA occurs often in female and endurance athletes and in athletes from weight-sensitive or aesthetic sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate energy availability (EA) in elite wheelchair athletes.