Abstract

The objective of this research is to determine the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of para table tennis athletes with physical disabilities in the Ñuble region (Chile). A case study research was conducted, with a quantitative, non-experimental and cross-sectional approach with a sample of 4 athletes belonging to the promesas Chile program with an average age of 17.5±4.8 years. Anthropometric data related to body composition were obtained by means of the ISAK protocol, somatotype and somatocarta by means of the Heath-Carter method and the Hip-Waist Index (HWI) was obtained. The main results of this research indicate that three athletes (75%) present excess malnutrition according to BMI, while one athlete is in the normal weight category. Regarding the ICC, two male para-athletes are classified in very low risk of suffering metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, one in low risk and the female athlete in high risk. Two para-athletes showed an endomesomorph somatotype, while the remaining two have a mesoendomorph somatotype. As for the percentage of fat, two of them do not exceed 20%, placing them in the optimal and slightly overweight category respectively, while the other two are around 30%, placing them in the obese category. The anthropometric evaluation reveals worrying levels of overweight. In addition, a prevalence of endomorphic and mesomorphic somatotype profiles is observed. It is essential to implement training and nutritional education programs to improve their health and sports performance. © 2024 Federacion Espanola de Docentes de Educacion Fisica. All rights reserved.