DXA-Measured Total and Regional Body Composition in Female Athletes with a Physical Impairment

Background/Objectives: In recent years, awareness has been growing regarding the needs of fe-male athletes with physical impairment. Despite the importance of assessing body composition from both health and performance perspectives in this athletic population, there is limited literature focusing on this topic. This study explored whole-body and regional three-compartment body composition in female athletes with physical impairment to assess the impact of impairment and sex on body composition parameters in this population. Methods: Twenty female athletes with a physical impairment were pair-matched by age with an able-bodied female athlete and a male athlete with a comparable physical impairment. All athletes underwent whole-body scanning with Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Results: Female athletes with physical impairment showed body composition changes consisting in a higher amount of fat mass, particularly in the lower body regions. Among athletes with physical impairment, sex showed an independent effect on whole-body composition, with females showing higher fat mass and lower lean mass, and bone mineral content compared to males especially in the legs. Conclusions: Female athletes with physical impairment have a distinct body composition profile, characterized by a sex-specific dis-tribution of body tissues at the regional level. Nutritional and training strategies aimed at optimizing body composition in female athletes with physical impairments should be specifically tailored to meet the needs of this athletic population.