Understanding the impact of trunk and arm impairment on wheelchair rugby performance during competition

Purpose: To determine the effect of trunk and arm impairment on physical and technical performance during wheelchair rugby (WR) competition. Methods: Thirty-one highly trained WR players grouped according to their trunk (no trunk [NT]; some trunk [T] function) and arm impairment (poor [PAF]; moderate [MAF]; good [GAF] arm function) participated in 5 WR matches. Player’s physical (wheelchair mobility) and technical (ball handling) activities were analysed using an indoor tracking system and video analysis respectively. Results: Trunk impairment explained some of the variance in physical (10.6–23.5%) and technical (16.2–33.0%) performance. T covered more distance, had more possession, scored more goals, received and made more passes, yet spent less time at low speeds and performed fewer inbounds than NT (≤ 0.05). Arm impairment explained some of the variance in all physical (16.7–47.0%) and the majority of technical (13.1–53.3%) performance measures. MAF and GAF covered more distance, reached higher peak speeds, spent more time in higher speed zones, scored more goals, had more possession, received and made more passes, with a higher percentage of one-handed and long passes than PAF. GAF also received more passes and made a higher percentage of one-handed passes and defensive blocks than MAF (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Arm impairment impacts a greater number of physical and technical measures of performance specific to WR than trunk impairment during competition. Having active finger function (GAF) yielded no further improvements in physical performance but positively influenced a small number of technical skill

Expert users’ perceptions of racing wheelchair design and set up: The knowns, unknowns and next steps

This paper demonstrates how a qualitative methodology can be used to gain novel insights into the demands of wheelchair racing and the impact of particular racing chair configurations on optimal sport performance via engagement with expert users (wheelchair racers, coaches and manufacturers). We specifically explore how expert users understand how wheels, tires and bearings impact upon sport performance and how they engage, implement or reject evidence-based research pertaining to these components. We identify areas where participants perceive there to be an immediate need for more research especially pertaining to the ability to make individualized recommendations for athletes. The findings from this project speak to the value of a qualitative research design for capturing the embodied knowledge of expert users and also make suggestions for ‘next step’ projects pertaining to wheels, tires and bearings drawn directly from the comments of participants

Validity and reliability of an inertial sensor for wheelchair court sports performance

The purpose of the current study was to determine the validity and reliability of an inertial sensor for assessing speed specific to athletes competing in the wheelchair court sports (basketball, rugby, and tennis). A wireless inertial sensor was attached to the axle of a sports wheelchair. Over two separate sessions, the sensor was tested across a range of treadmill speeds reflective of the court sports (1.0 to 6.0 m/s). At each test speed, ten 10-second trials were recorded and were compared with the treadmill (criterion). A further session explored the dynamic validity and reliability of the sensor during a sprinting task on a wheelchair ergometer compared with high-speed video (criterion). During session one, the sensor marginally overestimated speed, whereas during session two these speeds were underestimated slightly. However, systematic bias and absolute random errors never exceeded 0.058 m/s and 0.086 m/s, respectively, across both sessions. The sensor was also shown to be a reliable device with coefficients of variation (% CV) never exceeding 0.9 at any speed. During maximal sprinting, the sensor also provided a valid representation of the peak speeds reached (1.6% CV). Slight random errors in timing led to larger random errors in the detection of deceleration values. The results of this investigation have demonstrated that an inertial sensor developed for sports wheelchair applications provided a valid and reliable assessment of the speeds typically experienced by wheelchair athletes. As such, this device will be a valuable monitoring tool for assessing aspects of linear wheelchair performance

The physiological and biomechanical effects of forwards and reverse sports wheelchair propulsion

Objective To explore the physiological and biomechanical differences between forwards (FOR) and reverse (REV) sports wheelchair propulsion. Design Fourteen able-bodied males with previous wheelchair propulsion experience pushed a sports wheelchair on a single-roller ergometer in a FOR and REV direction at three sub-maximal speeds (4, 6, and 8 km/hour). Each trial lasted 3 minutes, and during the final minute physiological and biomechanical measures was collected. Results The physiological results revealed that oxygen uptake (1.51 ± 0.29 vs. 1.38 ± 0.26 L/minute, P = 0.005) and heart rate (121 ± 19 vs. 109 ± 14 beats/minute, P 0.05). However, greater mean resultant forces were applied during FOR (P < 0.0005) at 4 km/hour (66.7 ± 19.5 vs. 49.2 ± 10.3 N), 6 km/hour (90.7 ± 21.9 vs. 65.3 ± 18.6 N), and 8 km/hour (102.5 ± 17.6 vs. 68.7 ± 13.5 N) compared to REV. Alternatively, push times and push angles were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.001) during FOR at each speed. Conclusions The current study demonstrated that at higher speeds physiological demand becomes elevated during REV. This was likely to be associated with an inability to apply sufficient force to the wheels, thus requiring kinematic adaptations in order to maintain constant speeds in REV

Elite handcycling: A qualitative analysis of recumbent handbike configuration for optimal sports performance

Our understanding of handbike configuration is limited, yet it can be a key determinant of performance in handcycling. This study explored how fourteen handcycling experts (elite handcyclists, coaches, support staff and manufacturers) perceived aspects of recumbent handbike configuration to impact upon endurance performance via semi-structured interviews. Optimising the handbike for comfort, stability and power production were identified as key themes. Comfort and stability were identified to be the foundations of endurance performance and were primarily influenced by the seat, backrest, headrest and their associated padding. Power production was determined by the relationship between the athletes’ shoulder and abdomen and the trajectories of the handgrips, which were determined by the crank axis position, crank arm length and handgrip width. Future studies should focus on quantifying the configuration of recumbent handbikes before determining the effects that crank arm length, handgrip width and crank position have on endurance performance

A comparison of speed profiles during training and competition in elite wheelchair rugby players

Purpose: To investigate the speed profiles of individual training modes in comparison to wheelchair rugby (WCR) competition across player classifications. Methods: Speed profiles of fifteen international WCR players were determined using a radio-frequency based indoor tracking system. Mean and peak speed (m∙s-1), work-rest ratios, the relative time spent (%)and the number of high speed activities performed were measured across training sessions (n = 464) and international competition (n = 34). Training was classified into one of four modes: conditioning (n = 71), skill-based (n = 133), game related (n = 151) and game-simulation drills (n = 109). Game-simulation drills were further categorised by the structured duration, which were 3-minute game-clock (n = 44), 8-minute game-clock (n = 39), and 10-minute running-clock (n = 26). Players were grouped by their International Wheelchair Rugby Federation classification as either low-point (≤ 1.5; n = 8) or high-point players (≥ 2.0; n = 7). Results: Conditioning drills were shown to exceed the demands of competition, irrespective of classification (P ≤ 0.005; effect size [ES] = 0.6-2.0). Skill-based and game related drills under-represented the speed profiles of competition (P ≤ 0.005; ES = 0.5-1.1). Mean speed and work-rest ratios were significantly lower during 3- and 8-minute game simulation drills in relation to competition (P ≤ 0.039; ES = 0.5-0.7). However, no significant differences were identified between the 10-minute running-clock and competition. Conclusions: Although game-simulation drills provided the closest representation of competition, the structured duration appeared important since the 10-minute running-clock increased training specificity. Coaches can therefore modify the desired training response by making subtle changes to the format of game-simulation drills

Individualised internal and external training load relationships in elite wheelchair rugby players

Aim: The quantification and longitudinal monitoring of athlete training load (TL) provides a scientific explanation for changes in performance and helps manage injury/illness risk. The aim of the present study was to establish the relationship between measures of internal (heart rate (HR) and session RPE (sRPE)) and external TL specific to wheelchair rugby (WR). Methods: Fourteen international WR athletes (age = 29 ± 7 yrs; body mass = 58.9 ± 10.9 kg) were monitored during 18 training sessions over a 3 month period. Activity profiles were collected during each training session using a radio-frequency based indoor tracking system. External TL was quantified by total distance (m) covered as well as time spent and distance covered in a range of classification-specific arbitrary speed zones. Banister’s TRIMP, Edwards’s summated HR zone (SHRZ) and Lucia’s TRIMP methods were used to quantify physiological internal TL. sRPE was calculated as the product of session duration multiplied by perceived exertion using the Borg CR10 scale. Relationships between external and internal TL were examined using correlation coefficients and the 90% confidence intervals (90% CI). Results: sRPE (r=0.59) and all HR-based (r >0.80) methods showed large and very large relationships with the total distance covered during training sessions, respectively. Large and very large correlations (r =0.56-0.82) were also observed between all measures of internal TL and times spent and distances covered in low and moderate intensity speed zones. HR-based methods showed very large relationships with time (r=0.71-0.75) and distance (r=0.70-0.73) in the very high speed zone and a large relationship with the number of high intensity activities performed (r=0.56-0.62). Weaker relationships (r=0.32–0.35) were observed between sRPE and all measures of high intensity activity. A large variation of individual correlation co-efficient was observed between sRPE and all external TL measures. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that sRPE and HR-based internal TL measures provide a valid tool for quantifying volume of external TL during WR training but may underestimate high intensity activities. It is recommended both internal and external TL measures are employed for the monitoring of overall TL during court-based training in elite WR athletes

Individualised internal and external training load relationships in elite wheelchair rugby players

Aim: The quantification and longitudinal monitoring of athlete training load (TL) provides a scientific explanation for changes in performance and helps manage injury/illness risk. The aim of the present study was to establish the relationship between measures of internal (heart rate (HR) and session RPE (sRPE)) and external TL specific to wheelchair rugby (WR). Methods: Fourteen international WR athletes (age = 29 ± 7 yrs; body mass = 58.9 ± 10.9 kg) were monitored during 18 training sessions over a 3 month period. Activity profiles were collected during each training session using a radio-frequency based indoor tracking system. External TL was quantified by total distance (m) covered as well as time spent and distance covered in a range of classification-specific arbitrary speed zones. Banister’s TRIMP, Edwards’s summated HR zone (SHRZ) and Lucia’s TRIMP methods were used to quantify physiological internal TL. sRPE was calculated as the product of session duration multiplied by perceived exertion using the Borg CR10 scale. Relationships between external and internal TL were examined using correlation coefficients and the 90% confidence intervals (90% CI). Results: sRPE (r=0.59) and all HR-based (r >0.80) methods showed large and very large relationships with the total distance covered during training sessions, respectively. Large and very large correlations (r =0.56-0.82) were also observed between all measures of internal TL and times spent and distances covered in low and moderate intensity speed zones. HR-based methods showed very large relationships with time (r=0.71-0.75) and distance (r=0.70-0.73) in the very high speed zone and a large relationship with the number of high intensity activities performed (r=0.56-0.62). Weaker relationships (r=0.32–0.35) were observed between sRPE and all measures of high intensity activity. A large variation of individual correlation co-efficient was observed between sRPE and all external TL measures. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that sRPE and HR-based internal TL measures provide a valid tool for quantifying volume of external TL during WR training but may underestimate high intensity activities. It is recommended both internal and external TL measures are employed for the monitoring of overall TL during court-based training in elite WR athletes

Effect of team rank and player classification on activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby players

Effect of team rank and player classification on activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby player

Shoulder and thorax kinematics contribute to increased power output of competitive handcyclists

Current knowledge on recumbent handbike configuration and handcycling technique is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the upper limb kinematics and handbike configurations of recreational and competitive recumbent handcyclists, during sport specific intensities. Thirteen handcyclists were divided into two significantly different groups based on peak aerobic power output (POpeak) and race experience; competitive (n=7; 5 H3 and 2 H4 classes; POpeak: 247±20W) and recreational (n=6; 4 H3 and 2 H4 classes; POpeak: 198±21 W). Participants performed bouts of exercise at training (50% POpeak), competition (70% POpeak), and sprint intensity while three‐dimensional kinematic data (thorax, scapula, shoulder, elbow and wrist) were collected. Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare the kinematics of competitive and recreational handcyclists. Handbike configurations were determined from additional markers on the handbike. Competitive handcyclists flexed their thorax (~5°, P<0.05), extended their shoulder (~10°, P<0.01) and posteriorly tilted their scapular (~15°, P<0.05) more than recreational handcyclists. Differences in scapular motion occurred only at training intensity while differences in shoulder extension and thorax flexion occurred both at training and competition intensities. No differences were observed during sprinting. No significant differences in handbike configuration were identified. This study is the first to compare the upper limb kinematics of competitive recreational handcyclists at sport‐specific intensities. Competitive handcyclists employed significantly different propulsion strategies at training and competition intensities. Since no differences in handbike configuration were identified, these kinematic differences could be due to technical training adaptations potentially optimising muscle recruitment or force generation of the arm