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Determining and Controlling External Power Output During Regular Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion
Published on: February 5, 2020
Field-based physiological testing of wheelchair athletes
Victoria L Goosey-Tolfrey1, Christof A Leicht
1School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. v.l.tolfrey@lboro.ac.uk
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|January 19, 2013
Summary
Field-based physiological testing for wheelchair sports is less studied than for able-bodied athletes. This review examines existing methods, highlighting the need for wheelchair-specific tests to accurately assess fitness and performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Limited research exists on field-based physiological testing for wheelchair sports compared to able-bodied (AB) sports.
- Wheelchair sports performance depends on fitness, skills, experience, and the crucial interaction between the athlete and their wheelchair.
- Athletes seek efficient methods for training evaluation and performance analysis, necessitating reliable physiological monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on field-based physiological fitness assessment methods for wheelchair sports.
- To analyze outcome variables, validity, reliability, and non-physiological factors influencing performance in wheelchair sports.
- To provide context on Paralympic court sports and the impact of disability on athletic performance.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature on field-based physiological testing in wheelchair sports.
- Examination of tests originally developed for AB athletes and their applicability to wheelchair athletes.
- Identification and evaluation of newly proposed and validated wheelchair sport-specific tests.
Main Results:
- Field-based testing is preferred by coaches due to practicality, cost-effectiveness, and testing in the athlete's natural environment.
- Many standard AB tests may not be suitable for wheelchair athletes, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions.
- There is a need for wheelchair sport-specific tests to differentiate between disability classification, wheelchair proficiency, and actual performance gains.
Conclusions:
- Field-based testing offers advantages for assessing wheelchair athletes' fitness and performance.
- The development and validation of sport-specific tests are crucial for accurate training evaluation and normative data creation.
- Careful test selection is paramount to distinguish true performance improvements from other influencing factors.
