Regional body composition and its relationship to performancein powerlifters with physical disabilities: A pilot study

Abstract

Total lean body mass (LBM) is related to the absolute load lifted in the bench press in powerlifters with physical disabilities, but the relationship between relative performance and regional LBM is unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to 1) examine the regional body composition characteristics of competitive powerlifters with physical disabilities and 2) to determine the relationships between relative performance and regional LBM in these powerlifters. Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Methods: Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were obtained on 11 powerlifters with physical disabilities along with competition performance on 9 athletes. Total and regional LBM values were indexed relative to height (kg/m²). Results: A strong, significant, relationship was observed between AH (Haleczko) bench press score and LBM index in the arm region (rho = 0.787; p = 0.015) but not in the trunk (rho = 0.583; p = 0.108), legs (rho = 0.042; p = 0.922), or total body (rho = 0.617; p = 0.086). Conclusions: These results suggest LBM accretion in the arms may be most beneficial for powerlifting performance for those with physical disabilities.