Development of a novel resting metabolic rate equation for paralympic male basketball players

The body composition of Paralympic athletes differs significantly from able-bodied athletes and non-athlete individuals with disabilities. This study aimed to develop resting metabolic rate (RMR) equation for male Paralympic basketball athletes. Thirty-three male athletes from Paralympic basketball teams in Izmir participated. To ensure consistency, all anthropometric measurements were performed by the same trained researcher in accordance with international measurement standards. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry in the morning after a 12-h fast, in a supine position while body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Well-known RMR equations (e.g., Harris-Benedict, Mifflin-St Jeor) were evaluated, and new field-applicable equations were developed via Multiple regression analyses. The performance of these models was internally evaluated through Bland-Altman plots to assess proportional bias and clinical agreement, while the most accurate models were identified based on R2, Root Mean Square Percentage Error (RMSPE), and mean bias. While the average measured RMR was 1,477 kcal/day, evaluation of existing equations revealed significant systematic deviations, with most well-known models failing to provide accurate estimates for this population. Consequently, five novel equations were developed across different levels of measurement complexity: WheelTR-DEXA, WheelTR-BIA, WheelTR-Weight, WheelTR-Caliper&Tape, and WheelTR-Tape; among them, the BIA-based (WheelTR-BIA; R2 = 0.81, RMSPE = 6.3%) and anthropometry-based (WheelTR-Caliper&Tape; R2 = 0.77, RMSPE = 6.8%) equations demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy. These equations offer practical alternatives when indirect calorimetry is unavailable, improving individualized energy assessments in Paralympic male basketball players. Findings highlight how disability-specific factors, such as wheelchair dependence and altered body composition, influence energy expenditure, emphasizing the importance of sport-specific physiological assessments for accurate energy balance estimation.