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The aim of the study was to validate the Polish version of the Perceptions of Inclusion Questionnaire (PIQ) for the first time. The analysis included not only pupils, parents/legal guardians, and teachers but also physical education teachers, which is an innovative solution proposed by the authors. The sample consisted of 448 respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the tested model corresponding to the construct proposed by the PIQ authors did not have good fit indicators (χ2/df = 7.73; CFI = 0.855; SRMR = 0.103; RMSEA = 0.123). The three-factor structure of the questionnaire was confirmed by the eigenvalues obtained for each extracted factor based on the Kaiser criterion and the scree plot based on the Cattella criterion. All three factors showed satisfactory levels of reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.7). The conditions of convergent and discriminant validity for the construct were confirmed. However, Horn’s parallel analysis showed that the optimal number of factors is 4. Therefore, the research presented here should constitute a starting point for further analyses. It is recommended that research teams should conduct further scientific exploration of the PIQ tool in four perspectives, i.e., including PE teachers’ opinions.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify selected cardiometabolic risk markers and determine their correlation with lifestyles of adults with visual impairments. Methods: The study randomly selected 49 people with visual impairments (25 women and 24 men) aged 17–84 years (mean age 58.5 years). Body build, composition metrics, biochemical parameters, level of physical activity, and eating habits were evaluated. Results: Excessive body mass was found in 65% of respondents (72% women and 58% men). Above-typical blood total cholesterol levels were found in 52% of women and 42% of men, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in 33% of men and 20% of women, triglyceride levels in 16% of women and 17% of men and glucose in 56% of women and 42% of men. Reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were found in 25% of men and 20% of women. Results showed that 43% of respondents were not involved in physical activity at the recommended level. The use of nicotine was declared by 18% of respondents. No significant correlations were observed for the relationships between physical activity and somatic and biochemical parameters. Eating habits had a significant effect on the prevalence of above-typical LDL cholesterol levels, whereas smoking led to significant differences between study participants due to body mass index and fat percentage. Discussion: Lifestyles of individuals with visual impairments were not entirely healthy. Due to the characteristics of the disability, people with visual impairments are challenged with barriers to living healthy lifestyles. Implications for practitioners: The information obtained here can be used to implement adequate measures to provide equal opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision to lead healthy lifestyles and improve their quality of life.

The tendency for musculoskeletal complaints, injuries, and traumas remains significant among Para athletes. The aim of the study was to identify and verify the variables that impact the incidence and location of musculoskeletal pain in elite athletes with disabilities. It was assumed, that the type of disability and not the type of sport, or the type of injuries and traumas is the crucial determinant of the prevalence and location of musculoskeletal pain in Para athletes. A direct-participatory observation method was used in the study including both subjective (surveys questionnaires) and objective (anthropometric) methods of assessment. The study included 35 male and female elite Para athletes from the Polish national team (sitting volleyball [SG1: n = 21], para swimming [SG2 = 14]). Both groups of Para athletes mostly reported pain in the neck (37%), and the lower back (34%). The Spearman's rank-order correlation showed several large inversely proportional relationships between somatic parameters and the values in the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire from the last 7 days (NMQ-7) for SG2 and some moderate to large correlations between body adiposity index (BAI) and the prevalence of injuries, the total number of rehabilitation sessions, the number of humeral joint and fingers rehabilitation sessions, breaks from training over 4 weeks in SG1. In both groups relationships were found between the duration of Paralympic training and the number of injuries and rehabilitation sessions (R = -0.4; P .02) and between the exclusion from training for less 4 and over 4 weeks (R = -0.4; P .03). The age of the Para athletes correlated with the NMQ-7 (wrists) (R = 0.4; P .01). Both duration of disability and the type and severity of the disability may be crucial determinants of the prevalence and location of pain in the musculoskeletal system in Para athletes. Sport-specific training seems to induce specific musculoskeletal complaints.

Background The BMI index cannot always be used in people with intellectual disabilities due to neuromuscular coordination disorders and psychological barriers that may hinder conventional body weight measurement. The study aimed to assess the usefulness of BMI and BAI in estimating obesity and body fat in people with intellectual disabilities. Methods The first stage of the research involved 161 people with profound intellectual disabilities. Somatic parameters (BM, BH, WC, HC) were measured and BMI, BAI, WHR were calculated. Fifty seven persons with above-normal BMI and BAI were included in the second stage of the study and biochemical parameters were determined (TC, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TG, GL). Results According to both BMI and BAI classifications, most people were overweight or obese. A high correlation of %BF with BMI and BAI indices was observed (r = 0.78). The sensitivity of both indices was 95.65%. In groups with above-normal BMI and BAI, an upward trend was found for mean values of TC, LDL, TG, and GL, with a simultaneous downward trend for HDL. Statistically significant intergroup differences were recorded for TG and GL (p Conclusions Our research demonstrated that BAI is complementary to BMI and can be recommended for the estimation of body fat and cardiometabolic risks in people with intellectual disabilities. Due to the ease of measurement, BAI has high utility value.

Background: The last decade has seen the dynamic development of Paralympic sport, including the development of training facilities and training methods that allow for the achievement of results at the highest level in this group. This may be associated with an increased risk of injury and traumas. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and locations of injuries and the types of trauma suffered by goalball players. Methods: The study covered 43 players (24 women and 19 men) of the Goalball European Championship. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Results: The injuries were reported by 44%. Most often they concerned the upper limbs (92%). Positive correlations were found between age and prevalence of pelvis and knee joint injuries, whereas negative correlations occurred between competitive experience and the prevalence and location of injuries in the area of the upper limb. The highest percentage of trauma was found for epidermal abrasions, contusions, and dislocations. A negative correlation was observed between age and the prevalence of epidermal abrasions, whereas a positive correlation occurred between age and the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. The competitive experience was negatively correlated with the prevalence of abrasions and contusions and positively correlated with the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. A statistically significant correlation was found between body mass (BM) and the prevalence of injuries. In 23% of cases, training was interrupted for more than one month, whereas in 43%, the break was below one month. Conclusions: Playing position in goalball does not affect the prevalence of injuries and traumas, while body mass has a moderate effect on the prevalence of these events. The age of the subjects and their sports experience impact significantly on the prevalence and types of injuries.

Introduction: Obesity is a common health problem among adults people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among people with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities by gender, age and degree of disability. Material and methods: The study group comprised 194 individuals with moderate and severe intellectual disability, aged 20 to 50 years. They were all participants of an occupational therapy workshop. Measurements of height and body weight, waist and hip circumference were conducted. BMI and WHR were calculated. A double-classification ANOVA was carried out to compare outcomes by age and gender. Analysed parameters were standardised by gender and age. Standardised variables were subject to comparative analysis (one-way ANOVA) with respect to the level of disability. Results: Over a half of the examined individuals exhibited excessive weight gain. Obesity was found in almost 30% of our female participants while among male participants this proportion equalled 19.4%. Waist circumference (p≤0.008) and WHR (p≤0.001) differed significantly between men and women, women had android obesity more often. Conclusions: Obesity appears to be a common problem among people with intellectual disabilities; to a greater extent among women. Gender was a factor determining the type of obesity since android obesity was more commonly diagnosed in women. The prevalence of obesity did not seem to be associated with age.

Lipid disorders, obesity and overweight are considered one of the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Population surveys carried out in Poland have demonstrated a tendency for lipid disorders to occur in 70% and overweight and obesity in more than half of Poles. No such studies have been conducted in groups of people with vision impairment so far. Yet, regular involvement of visually impaired people in sports is likely to reduce cardiovascular risk. Therefore, the authors attempted to evaluate the lipid profile and nutritional status of male goalball players. Thirty two blind or visually impaired male goalball players aged 20 to 45 years participated in the study during which somatic variables (BH, BM, WC, VFR, BMI) and the lipid profile (TC, LDL, HDL, TG) were evaluated. Overweight was found in 40.6% of athletes, with obesity being at the level of 9.3%. A high correlation was found between visceral fat and the BMI (r=0.7; p