A Comparative Study of Upper Extremity Performance, Bone Density and Body Composition in Wheelchair and Able-Bodied Basketball Players

The study aimed to compare upper extremity reactive agility and shooting accuracy between wheelchair basketball players and able-bodied players and to investigate the correlation of these performances with physical parameters, bone density, and body composition. The sample included 18 male basketball players: eight wheelchair players (n=8, 41.7±7.6 years) and ten able-bodied players (n=10, 20.1±1.53 years). Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used for group comparisons and Pearson's correlation coefficient assessed relationships between quantitative variables. The results indicated no significant difference in shooting accuracy between wheelchair and able-bodied athletes. However, wheelchair athletes showed longer response times and appeared slower in the upper extremity agility test compared to able-bodied athletes, though this difference was not statistically significant. Variations were observed in lean body mass, total bone mineral density (BMD), and lower limb BMD, while upper limb lean mass and bone density did not show significant differences. Handgrip strength was similar between the groups, but there were no notable differences in upper extremity power (medicine ball throw) and specific power (chest pass). Key factors affecting upper agility and shooting accuracy in wheelchair basketball players included the type and degree of disability, upper extremity power, and training background. The results underscore the necessity for customized training to improve shooting accuracy and upper extremity agility in wheelchair athletes, targeting each athlete’s individual limitations and building on their strengths. Article visualizations: