• Humans
• Heart Rate/physiology
• Oxygen Consumption/physiology
• Male
• Energy Metabolism/physiology
• Young Adult
• Racquet Sports/physiology
• Adult
• Athletic Performance/physiology
• Athletes
• Female

• IMUs
• Sprinting
• rolling friction
• tennis performance
• wheelchair mobility performance

• Humans
• Wheelchairs
• Tennis/physiology
• Male
• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Adult
• Young Adult
• Sports for Persons with Disabilities/physiology
• Athletic Performance/physiology

• direct attack
• electromyography
• wheelchair fencing

• 2023-233-003 Universidad Católica de Valencia

• Humans
• Tennis/physiology
• Wheelchairs
• Athletic Performance/physiology
• Female
• Male
• Competitive Behavior
• Sex Factors

• human behaviour
• physiology

• Humans
• Wheelchairs
• Male
• Female
• Reaction Time/physiology
• Adult
• Arm/physiology
• Athletic Performance/physiology
• Exercise/physiology
• Athletes
• Sex Factors
• Exercise Test/methods

• cardiovascular fitness
• field tests
• wheelchair athletes

• Humans
• Sports/physiology
• Athletes
• Wheelchairs
• Exercise
• Physical Functional Performance

• arrhythmia
• cardiovascular disease
• electrocardiography
• paralympic athletes

• VO2max
• cross-country skiers
• disabled athletes
• exercise testing
• paralympian

• Humans
• Female
• Skiing
• Exercise Test
• Disabled Persons
• Workload
• Oxygen Consumption

• electromyography
• heuristic analysis
• postural muscles
• wheelchair fencing

• Female
• Humans
• Sports/physiology
• Muscle, Skeletal/physiology
• Electromyography
• Upper Extremity
• Wheelchairs
• Movement/physiology

• adapted sports
• physical activity
• shoulder injuries
• wheelchair tennis
• wheelchairs

The structural appearance of each disabled athlete or the shape of their body, as determined by their individual genotype and influenced by the environment, considerably affects their technical and physical performance. This study sought to examine the morphological characteristics of elite track and field athletes with different disabilities, including their possible effects on physical and physiological performance.

A total of 66 male elite athletes with cerebral palsy (n = 12), upper arm amputation (n = 12), short stature (n = 20), or intellectual disability (n = 22) were included. For each athlete, height, weight, sitting height, arm span and four skin folds were assessed; ape index, body mass index, body fat percentage, fat mass, fat mass index and fat-free mass values were calculated; and vertical jump, drop jump, countermovement jump, squat jump, repeated sprint ability and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 tests were performed.

Significant differences were noticed between short stature and the other groups concerning morphological characteristics, however, the best motor performance was observed in amputees and, to a lesser degree, in short stature. In the top performing athletes, physical performance was significantly correlated with body mass index and fat mass index for amputees, and with arm span, ape index, body fat percentage and fat mass index for short stature. Regression analysis revealed that regardless of disability type, physical and physiological performance (except maximum heart rate) were significantly influenced primarily by adipose tissue-specific variables. A significant effect of height, weight, fat free mass, arm span, sitting height, and ape index on drop jump performance with left leg, maximal oxygen consumption, and maximum heart rate was also noticed. The type of disability affects performance in the squat jump and vertical jump tests, and to a lesser extent in the countermovement jump test.

• Aerobic capacity
• athletic performance
• isokinetic muscle strength
• wheelchair basketball

• Athletes
• Athletic Performance
• Basketball
• Female
• Hand Strength
• Humans
• Male
• Muscle Strength
• Wheelchairs

We analyzed exercise-related changes in cardiac troponins and other physiological and metabolic parameters in amateur wheelchair racers with spinal cord injury (SCI) participating in a marathon event.

This pilot, prospective, observational study was conducted at a community marathon event. Fifteen community-living individuals with SCI who had registered to participate in the marathon were recruited for the study. Participants with SCI used manually propelled wheelchairs (n=5) or tricycles (n=10). The outcome measures were high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T levels (hs-cTnT), heart rate, and metabolic parameters, including body temperature, serum electrolytes, and urine osmolality. These parameters were compared with 15 age- and race-distance-matched non-SCI runners who participated in the same marathon.

Participants with SCI had a higher median (inter-quartile range) baseline hs-cTnT level [13.7 ng/L (10.3–25)] than did runners [4.2 ng/L (3.2–8.7; P <0.001)]. Post-race values of hs-cTnT were elevated in participants with SCI [28.0 ng/L (19.0–48.2)] and in runners [41.5 ng/L (18.4–87.1, P= 0.7)]; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Other parameters were not significantly different between SCI participants and runners.

Post-race hs-cTnT levels of amateur SCI participants were elevated but were not significantly different from those of runners. Other race-induced physiological and metabolic changes in SCI participants were comparable to those of runners. The high baseline hs-cTnT levels in participants with SCI observed in this study warrant further research.

• cardiac troponin
• spinal cord injury
• urine osmolality
• wheelchair marathon

The application of new technologies in wheelchair basketball (WB) is important for the advancement and improvement of athletic performance. The purposes of this study are twofold: (a) to develop a methodological design in order to assess WB players’ performance, using wireless inertial measurement units (WIMU^®) and a laser system (BioLaserSport^® with computer vision), in a 20 m sprint test on court and (b) to assess bilateral symmetry as a performance indicator and for injury prevention purposes, the study of which in previous research is unknown. For both aims, the relation of the acceleration of the players’ wrists to the speed achieved by the player in the wheelchair was explored. Ten elite WB players participated in an on-court 20 m sprint test during real training. BioLaserSport^® with computer vision was used to assess the average velocity (Va) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of the WB players, and two WIMU^® were used for the total acceleration (AcelT) of the players’ wrists. A very high correlation was obtained in the assessment of the Va (0.97) and AcelT of both wrists (0.90 and 0.85). There was a significant relationship between the average AcelT of the dominant wrist and the Va on-court sprint velocity (p < 0.05). Two players did not show good wrist symmetry. In conclusion, a new methodological protocol was developed, making it possible to assess the bilateral symmetries in elite WB players in on-court real training and the relation between the acceleration of players’ wrists and players’ wheelchair speed. Coaches can use this protocol to assess performance or for injury prevention, as it shows very good reliability, with high ICC values.

• IMU
• computer vision
• inertial device
• kinematics
• laser
• performance

• injury
• pain
• para athletics
• para cycling
• para swim

• Wheelchair fencing
• attributes
• classification
• performance
• physical

• Paralympic Games
• activity pattern
• adapted sport
• tennis
• video analysis

• Adaptation, Physiological
• Beijing
• Humans
• London
• Male
• Tennis
• Wheelchairs

The aim of this review is to offer dietary advice for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurogenic bowel dysfunction. With this in mind, we consider health conditions that are dependent on the level of lesion including skeletal muscle atrophy, autonomic dysreflexia and neurogenic bladder. In addition, SCI is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle, which increases risk for osteoporosis and diseases associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, including cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. The Mediterranean diet, along with exercise and dietary supplements, has been suggested as an anti-inflammatory intervention in individuals with SCI. However, individuals with chronic SCI have a daily intake of whole fruit, vegetables and whole grains lower than the recommended dietary allowance for the general population. Some studies have reported an increase in neurogenic bowel dysfunction symptoms after high fiber intake; therefore, this finding could explain the low consumption of plant foods. Low consumption of fibre induces dysbiosis, which is associated with both endotoxemia and inflammation. Dysbiosis can be reduced by exercise and diet in individuals with SCI. Therefore, to summarize our viewpoint, we developed a Mediterranean diet-based diet and exercise pyramid to integrate nutritional recommendations and exercise guidelines. Nutritional guidelines come from previously suggested recommendations for military veterans with disabilities and individuals with SCI, chronic kidney diseases, chronic pain and irritable bowel syndrome. We also considered the recent exercise guidelines and position stands for adults with SCI to improve muscle strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness and to obtain cardiometabolic benefits. Finally, dietary advice for Paralympic athletes is suggested.

• Neurogenic bowel dysfunction
• Body composition
• Mediterranean diet
• Food–drug interactions
• Microbiota
• Paralympic athletes

• Adult
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness/physiology
• Combined Modality Therapy/methods
• Diet, Mediterranean
• Dietary Fiber
• Exercise Therapy/methods
• Fruit
• Humans
• Neurogenic Bowel/diet therapy
• Neurogenic Bowel/etiology
• Neurogenic Bowel/physiopathology
• Para-Athletes
• Recommended Dietary Allowances
• Sedentary Behavior
• Spinal Cord Injuries/complications
• Spinal Cord Injuries/physiopathology
• Vegetables
• Whole Grains

The objective of the present study was to determine the structure of the movement pattern performed during a wheelchair fencing lunge that is executed in response to visual and sensory stimuli. In addition, a comparison was made between fencers in the categories A and B of disability. In addition, the analysis involved the correlation between the duration of the sensorimotor response and the value of the bioelectric signal recorded in selected muscles. Seven Paralympic team athletes specializing in wheelchair fencing (3 in category A and 4 in category B) participated in the research. The fencers perform at international level competitions and are multiple medalists of the Paralympic Games. In the study, a wireless system for sEMG and accelerometer signal measurement was employed to test the intervals between the initiation of the lunge attack and its termination defined by the touch of the weapon on the coach's torso. The electrodes were placed on 9 key muscles responsible for the effectiveness of the executed attack: DEL, TRI, BC, ECR FCR, LD, and EAO. The significant intergroup difference in the muscle activation was found to be 0.333 s for category A fencers and 0.522 s for category A fencers at p = 0.039 applies to the latissimus dorsi (LD LT) muscle, which demonstrates its significance as a postural muscle in the structure of the examined movement pattern. In terms of the values of EMG, a tendency for higher MVC (%) values in most muscles for category A competitors was recorded. The latissimus dorsi (DL RT) muscle with an intergroup difference of MVC-114.63 for cat. A and 67.50 for cat. B at p = 0.039 turned out to play a significant role. The results prove the role of postural muscles: external abdominal oblique and latissimus dorsi on the effectiveness of the attacks executed in wheelchair fencing.

• Paralympic sport
• cardiac output
• lower limb amputation
• lower limb poliomyelitis
• spinal cord injury

• Adult
• Biomarkers/analysis
• Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis
• Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology
• Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism
• Humans
• Inflammation/diagnosis
• Inflammation/etiology
• Inflammation/metabolism
• Inflammation Mediators/metabolism
• Male
• Mean Platelet Volume
• Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis
• Metabolic Syndrome/etiology
• Metabolic Syndrome/metabolism
• Motor Disorders/complications
• Para-Athletes/statistics & numerical data
• Platelet Activation
• Retrospective Studies

The primary aim was to compare physiological and perceptual outcome parameters identified at common gas exchange and blood lactate (BLa) thresholds in Paralympic athletes while upper-body poling. The secondary aim was to compare the fit of the breakpoint models used to identify thresholds in the gas exchange thresholds data versus continuous linear and curvilinear (no-breakpoint) models.

Fifteen elite Para ice hockey players performed seven to eight 5-min stages at increasing workload until exhaustion during upper-body poling. Two regression lines were fitted to the oxygen uptake (VO₂)-carbon dioxide (VCO₂) and minute ventilation (VE)/VO₂ data to determine the ventilatory threshold (VT), and to the VCO₂-VE and VE/VCO₂ data to determine the respiratory compensation threshold (RCT). The first lactate threshold (LT1) was determined by the first rise in BLa (+0.4mmol·L^-1 and +1.0mmol·L^-1) and a breakpoint in the log-log transformed VO₂-BLa data, and the second lactate threshold (LT2) by a fixed rise in BLa above 4mmol·L^-1 and by employing the modified D_max method. Paired-samples t-tests were used to compare the outcome parameters within and between the different threshold methods. The fit of the two regression lines (breakpoint model) used to identify thresholds in the gas exchange data was compared to that of a single regression line, an exponential and a 3^rd order polynomial curve (no-breakpoint models) by Akaike weights.

All outcome parameters identified with the VT (i.e., breakpoints in the VO₂-VCO₂ or VE/VO₂ data) were significantly higher than the ones identified with a fixed rise in BLa (+0.4 or +1.0mmol·L^-1) at the LT1 (e.g. BLa: 5.1±2.2 or 4.9±1.8 vs 1.9±0.6 or 2.3±0.5mmol·L^-1,p<0.001), but were not significantly different from the log-log transformed VO₂-BLa data (4.3±1.6mmol·L^-1,p>0.06). The outcome parameters identified with breakpoints in the VCO₂-VE data to determine the RCT (e.g. BLa: 5.5±1.4mmol·L^-1) were not different from the ones identified with the modified D_max method at the LT2 (5.5±1.1mmol·L^-1) (all p>0.53), but were higher compared to parameters identified with VE/VCO₂ method (4.9±1.5mmol·L^-1) and a fixed BLa value of 4mmol·L^-1 (all p<0.03). Although we were able to determine the VT and RCT via different gas exchange threshold methods with good fit in all 15 participants (mean R²>0.931), the continuous no-breakpoint models had the highest probability (>68%) of being the best models for the VO₂-VCO₂ and the VCO₂-VE data.

In Paralympic athletes who exercise in the upper-body poling mode, the outcome parameters identified at the VT and the ones identified with fixed methods at the LT1 showed large differences, demonstrating that these cannot be used interchangeably to estimate the aerobic threshold. In addition, the close location of the VT, RCT and LT2 does not allow us to distinguish the aerobic and anaerobic threshold, indicating the presence of only one threshold in athletes with a disability exercising in an upper-body mode. Furthermore, the better fit of continuous no-breakpoint models indicates no presence of clear breakpoints in the gas exchange data for most participants. This makes us question if breakpoints in the gas exchange data really exist in an upper-body exercise mode in athletes with disabilities.

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Athletes
• Disabled Persons
• Exercise/physiology
• Female
• Hockey/physiology
• Humans
• Lactic Acid/blood
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pulmonary Gas Exchange
• Upper Extremity/physiopathology
• Young Adult

• NeXt Move, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

• classification
• disabled
• fat mass
• mixed teams
• physique

Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) in Paralympic sitting sports athletes represents their maximal ability to deliver energy aerobically in an upper-body mode, with values being influenced by sex, disability-related physiological limitations, sport-specific demands, training status and how they are tested.

To identify VO_2peak values in Paralympic sitting sports, examine between-sports differences and within-sports variations in VO_2peak and determine the influence of sex, age, body-mass, disability and test-mode on VO_2peak.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus^TM and EMBASE were systematically searched in October 2016 using relevant medical subject headings, keywords and a Boolean.

Studies that assessed VO_2peak values in sitting sports athletes with a disability in a laboratory setting were included.

Data was extracted and pooled in the different sports disciplines, weighted by the Dersimonian and Laird random effects approach. Quality of the included studies was assessed with a modified version of the Downs and Black checklist by two independent reviewers. Meta-regression and pooled-data multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the influence of sex, age, body-mass, disability, test mode and study quality on VO_2peak.

Of 6542 retrieved articles, 57 studies reporting VO_2peak values in 14 different sitting sports were included in this review. VO_2peak values from 771 athletes were used in the data analysis, of which 30% participated in wheelchair basketball, 27% in wheelchair racing, 15% in wheelchair rugby and the remaining 28% in the 11 other disciplines. Fifty-six percent of the athletes had a spinal cord injury and 87% were men. Sports-discipline-averaged VO_2peak values ranged from 2.9 L∙min^-1 and 45.6 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1 in Nordic sit skiing to 1.4 L∙min^-1 and 17.3 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1 in shooting and 1.3 L∙min^-1 and 18.9 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1 in wheelchair rugby. Large within-sports variation was found in sports with few included studies and corresponding low sample sizes. The meta-regression and pooled-data multiple regression analyses showed that being a man, having an amputation, not being tetraplegic, testing in a wheelchair ergometer and treadmill mode, were found to be favorable for high absolute and body-mass normalized VO_2peak values. Furthermore, high body mass was favourable for high absolute VO_2peak values and low body mass for high body-mass normalized VO_2peak values.

The highest VO_2peak values were found in Nordic sit skiing, an endurance sport with continuously high physical efforts, and the lowest values in shooting, a sport with low levels of displacement, and in wheelchair rugby where mainly athletes with tetraplegia compete. However, VO_2peak values need to be interpreted carefully in sports-disciplines with few included studies and large within-sports variation. Future studies should include detailed information on training status, sex, age, test mode, as well as the type and extent of disability in order to more precisely evaluate the effect of these factors on VO_2peak.

• Athletes
• Disabled Persons
• Humans
• Oxygen Consumption/physiology
• Paraparesis/physiopathology
• Sports/physiology
• Wheelchairs

• Centre for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

• arm cranking
• disabled athletes
• exercise protocol
• oxygen uptake
• wheelchair treadmill

• EMG
• Ergometer
• Impairment
• Paralympics

• Athletic injuries
• Epidemiology
• Research protocol
• Sports for persons with disabilities
• Sports medicine

• Adult
• Anthropometry
• Basketball
• Databases, Factual
• Diet
• Diet Records
• Disabled Persons
• Energy Intake
• Feeding Behavior
• Humans
• Male
• Micronutrients/deficiency
• Nutritional Requirements
• Nutritional Status
• Spain
• Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
• Vitamins
• Wheelchairs
• Young Adult

• Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO)

Purpose: In wheelchair racing, respiratory muscles of the rib cage are concomitantly involved in non-ventilatory functions during wheelchair propulsion. However, the relationship between locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC: the ratio between push and breathing frequency), respiratory parameters and work efficiency is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the LRC in wheelchair racers over different race distances.

Methods: Eight trained and experienced wheelchair racers completed three time-trials over the distances of 400, 800, and 5000 m on a training roller in randomized order. During the time trials, ventilatory and gas exchange variables as well as push frequency were continuously registered to determine possible LRC strategies.

Results: Four different coupling ratios were identified, namely 1:1; 2:1, 3:1 as well as a 1:1/2:1 alternating type, respectively. The 2:1 coupling was the most dominant type. The 1:1/2:1 alternating coupling type was found predominantly during the 400 m time-trial. Longer race distances tended to result in an increased coupling ratio (e.g., from 1:1 toward 2:1), and an increase in coupling ratio toward a more efficient respiration was found over the 5000 m distance. A significant correlation (r = 0.80, p < 0.05) between respiratory frequency and the respiratory equivalent for oxygen was found for the 400 m and the 800 m time-trials.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that a higher coupling ratio indicates enhanced breathing work efficiency with a concomitant deeper and slower respiration during wheelchair racing. Thus, the selection of an appropriate LRC strategy may help to optimize wheelchair racing performance.

• elite sports
• exercise
• push frequency
• respiratory muscles
• spinal cord injury

• aerobic fitness
• basketball
• evaluation
• field test
• wheelchair

• Paralympic sports
• mobility
• performance
• player tracking

A bioenergetical analysis of manoeuvrability and agility performance for wheelchair players is inexistent. It was aimed at comparing the physiological responses and performance obtained from the octagon multistage field test (MFT) and the modified condition in “8 form” (MFT-8). Sixteen trained wheelchair basketball players performed both tests in randomized condition. The levels performed (end-test score), peak values of oxygen uptake (VO_2peak), minute ventilation (V_Epeak), heart rate (HR_peak), peak and relative blood lactate (Δ[Lact⁻] = peak – rest values), and the perceived rating exertion (RPE) were measured. MFT-8 induced higher VO_2peak and V_Epeak values compared to MFT (VO_2peak: 2.5 ± 0.6 versus 2.3 ± 0.6 L·min⁻¹ and V_Epeak: 96.3 ± 29.1 versus 86.6 ± 23.4 L·min⁻¹; P < 0.05) with no difference in other parameters. Significant relations between V_Epeak and end-test score were correlated for both field tests (P < 0.05). At exhaustion, MFT attained incompletely VO_2peak and V_Epeak. Among experienced wheelchair players, MFT-8 had no effect on test performance but generates higher physiological responses than MFT. It could be explained by demands of wheelchair skills occurring in 8 form during the modified condition.

• disability
• field tests
• performance
• physical characteristics
• reliability

• Physiology
• metabolism
• team sport
• testing
• training