Wheelchair racing sports science: a review

Wheelchair racing science and the performance of athletes involved in wheelchair racing have developed rapidly in recent years. With increasing interest in this sport, the need arises to identify areas where further research is necessary and cooperation between individuals with various backgrounds is encouraged. Many of the problems facing investigators in this field require knowledge in several areas of science and engineering, which suggests an interdisciplinary approach to these issues. Further progress would also benefit from the development of more quantitative methods for the classification of wheelchair athletes, or a restructuring of the classification system; development of sophisticated instrumentation for racing wheelchairs; standardization of test procedures and more complete reporting of results of studies; and, more in-depth mathematical modelling and computer simulation of wheelchair racing. This review presents an overview of four areas of wheelchair racing science: 1) classification of wheelchair athletes; 2) design and analysis of racing wheelchairs; 3) biomechanics of racing wheelchair propulsion; and, 4) training and coaching of wheelchair racers.