Purpose. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of strength training on the physical capacities of disabled persons with cervical spine injuries. Basic procedures. The study sample consisted of four disabled subjects with C4-C6 cervical spine injury, who were active Paralympic athletes (one swimmer and three wheelchair rugby players) from the Foundation of Active Rehabilitation. The study was carried out over a period of 15 months. The Biodex System 3 Pro isokinetic dynamometer and an arm cycloergometer were used for measurements. The measurements of muscle torques at the shoulder joint were carried out at 8-week intervals using the Biodex dynamometer. Main findings. The test results revealed a correlation between the body's physical endurance and strength capacities of subjects with cervical spine injuries. The "Upperton" strength training equipment modified for tetraplegics allowed maximal loading of the disabled athletes' shoulder girdle. Conclusions. Strength training improves the maximal force of arms in tetraplegics and positively affects their physical endurance. Tetraplegics can take advantage of strength training only by using hand-fixed weights, due to the limited function of arm flexors, including the greatly reduced hand gripping function. Strength training is an indispensable element of rehabilitation of tetraplegics.
Introduction This study sought to analyze performance progression in track and field sprint events (100-400 m) at Paralympic Games (PG) held between 1992 and 2016 and to make comparisons with Olympic athletes. Material and methods Of 19 sport classes, five were selected in which the ratio of world records (WRs) set by Paralympic athletes to WRs set by Olympic athletes was the highest (T13 – visual impairments, T38 – coordination impairments, T46/47 – upper limb deficiencies, T42 and T44 – amputations and with lower limb deficiencies, T54 – wheelchair users). Percentage indices, PG/OG performance ratio as well as competition density were used to assess changes in performance. Linear regression was applied to predict performance at 2021 PG. Results In the period from 1992 to 2016, PG finalists improved their results by 5 to 22% in all the classes, while OG finalists improved their performance by 1 to 2%. PG/OG performance ratio depended on the class and sprint distance. The highest ratio was noted in the case of T44 (0.92 for 200 m) and T54 (0.93 for 400 m). Conclusions The prediction showed the highest values of the coefficient of determination (R2>70%) in T38 and T44 in 100 m and T38 in 200 m. The data obtained from the prediction may determine coaches’ activities in terms of assessing an athlete’s chances of qualifying for 2021 PG finals.
Study aim: To assess the anaerobic capacity of upper extremity muscles of male and female swimmers by applying two exercise tests.Material and methods: Male and female swimmers (n = 9 and 6, respectively), aged 19 - 23 years and having training experience of over 10 years, were subjected to two tests: 30-s Wingate for upper extremities and semitethered swimming test. The following variables were determined: body fat content (from 4 skinfolds), maximum power output, heart rate (HR) and lactate (LA) concentration in blood.Results: Relative power outputs in the Wingate test and swimming force in semi-tethered swimming test (maximum and mean) were significantly (p<0.001) higher in male than in the female swimmers. Maximum LA concentrations were higher in male than in female swimmers, but maximum LA values related to relative power output were in both genders alike. Maximum force produced in the semi-tethered swimming test was strongly (r = 0.765; p<0.001) correlated with maximum relative power output in the Wingate test.Conclusions: Both tests may be interchangeably applied to determine the anaerobic capacity of upper extremity muscles in swimmers.
Celem pracy była ocena sprawności fizycznej wszechstronnej i specjalnej zawodników niepełnosprawnych tre-nujących piłkę siatkową na siedząco. W badaniach wzięło udział 21 zawodników. Badani byli reprezentantami drużyny klubowej z Litwy (n = 7) oraz kadry narodowej Polski (n = 14). Dokonano pomiaru masy i wysokości ciała oraz zasięgu kończyn górnych w pozycji siedzącej. Zastosowano 3 próby testowe sprawności fizycznej specjalnej i wszechstronnej: poruszanie się na odcinku 5 m, podanie piłki siatkowej techniką oburącz sprzed klatki piersiowej na odległość, poruszanie się po kopercie o wymiarach 1,5 × 2,5 m. Wyniki badań potwierdziły możliwość wyko-rzystywania trzech zaproponowanych testów do oceny sprawności fizycznej zawodników niepełnosprawnych. Konieczne wydaje się opracowanie baterii testów sprawności fizycznej specjalnej-technicznej w połączeniu ze zdolnościami koordynacyjnymi oraz oceną skuteczności gry.
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The aim of the study was to evaluate sport-specific and general sporting physical fitness of disabled sitting volley-ball athletes. 21 players took part in the study. The subjects were members of a club team from Lithuania (n = 7), and of Polish national team (n = 14). Body mass, height, range of reaching of the upper limbs measured in sitting position were assessed. Three skill tests were carried out: 5 m sprint, pass the volleyball ball with both hands from the chest, and envelope (1.5 × 2.5 m) drill test. The results confirm that it is possible to use the three tests in sitting volleyball training. It is important to establish a set of skill tests for sitting volleyball athletes together with evaluation of coordination and game efficiency.
Introduction There are some studies concern special field-based tests for wheelchair basketball players however, there were not a lot of studies confirmed reliability and/or validity of wheelchair basketball field-based tests. The aim of the present study was to assess test-retest reliability of the newly developed field-based tests focused on short time efforts with maximal intensity for wheelchair basketball players. Material and methods Nine elite male wheelchair basketball players (mean age 29.7 ± 5.9 years) performed two times 11 field-based tests focused on short time efforts with the maximal intensity: 3 m sprint, 5 m sprint, 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, pass basketball ball by both hands from the chest, pass medicine ball (3 kg) by both hands from the chest, bilateral handgrip, 3-6-9 m drill test, 30-seconds sprint test, agility drill test, and 10x5 m sprint test. All sprint tests’ time were measured by Microgate® photocells (Bolzano, Italy). Differences between field-based tests repetitions were compared by the t-test for dependent samples, relationship between repetitions was calculated by the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the ICCs were calculated (test-retest reliability). Results The ICCs were ‘very good’, correlations were strong for each field-based test (r > 0.7). Only for the agility drill test the first repetition is statistically different compare to the second repetition (p = .015). Conclusions The main application of our research is a confirmation of reliability of 10 field-based tests related to short time efforts with maximum intensity: 3 m sprint, 5 m sprint, 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, pass basketball ball by both hands from the chest, pass medicine ball (3 kg) by both hands from the chest, bilateral handgrip, 3-6-9 m drill test, 30-seconds sprint test, and 10x5 m sprint test.
Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between anaerobic performance (AnP), applicable field tests, and the functional classification levels in female wheelchair basketball athletes. Methods. Female wheelchair basketball athletes (N = 23; Category A, n = 9; Category B, n = 14) from the Canadian national team were evaluated using field tests and the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test. Measures of peak power output (PP), time to achieve peak power (tPP), mean power output (MP), and a fatigue index (FI) were used to assess AnP. A test battery evaluating seven wheelchair basketball skills was applied. Student’s t test was used to identify differences between the two main functional categories (A and B). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient were calculated to determine the significance of all relationships between the parameters of AnP, the results of the field tests, and the eight functional classification levels of the athletes (1.0-4.5 pts.). Results. In all analyzed parameters, except for the field test measuring shooting skills, the results of AnP were significantly higher for Category B players. Significant relationships were observed between athletes’ classification level and AnP and the field tests except for tPP, the 5 m sprint, and the shooting test. The strongest association was observed for MP and PP, MP and FI, PP and FI (p = 0.001). Conclusions. Strong associations were found between the functional classification level and AnP of the female wheelchair basketball athletes. The strongest correlation was confirmed between MP, PP, and the field test measuring the two-handed chest pass, suggesting that this test can be used to indirectly assess the anaerobic performance of female wheelchair basketball athletes.
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine game efficiency of elite wheelchair rugby players in consideration of International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) classification during the 2008 Paralympic Games played according to the old wheelchair rugby rules.Basic procedures. A group of 77 athletes representing 8 national teams participated in the study. Each team played 5 games for 32 min each. Athletes who played for more than 8 min in total at the 2008 Paralympics qualified for the study. The seven IWRF player point classes were collapsed into four groups. The game efficiency analysis was based on the IWRF Statistical Reports. The following six game efficiency parameters were analyzed: played time (T), sum of all points scored (PT), assist passes (AS), assist blocks (AB), turnovers (TO) and steals (ST).Main findings. The major finding of the study was that most differences in PT, AS, AB, TO and ST were found among all the examined groups (I-IV), except groups I and II. The played time (T) was not sensitive enough to identify significant differences among all the groups. This indicates that played time in the context of substitutions limited by classification point requirements does not reflect the differences between player classes.Conclusions. Generally, there was a tendency for highpoint class players to perform better. The study findings point to the importance of analysis of game efficiency of elite wheelchair rugby players with regard to their IWRF classification during tournaments played according to the new wheelchair rugby rules.
Introduction Paralympic sailing was introduced at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games. Since then it has been developing rapidly and an increasing number of individuals in Poland and abroad regularly take part in sports competitions. Currently, disabled athletes can compete in three classes: Sonar, 2.4mR and Skud 18. The review of the Polish and foreign lit-erature does not give a clear indication of the motives for participation in Paralympic sailing. Material and methods The study was carried out on 52 regatta sailors with physical disabilities. Group I consisted of 20 sailors from the Polish National Team. Group II consisted of 32 sailors from 10 European countries. The study was conducted during the National Team camp in Górki Zachodnie and during the European Championships in Switzerland. The Par-ticipation Reasons Scale (PRS - developed by Brasile and Hedrick in 1991) was used in the study. Results Excitement of the activity and an opportunity to improve abilities were rated highest by the disabled sailors from the Polish National Team. In the group of sailors from other European countries, the motives rated highest included the chance to be with friends and challenges related to sailing. Conclusions Sports-related aspects and emotions are the main factors motivating dis-abled persons to practise sailing. If we take into account the needs indicated by the sailors in planning sports activities for people with disabilities, it may contribute to faster development of Paralympic sailing in our country.
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