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Sprint performance and propulsion asymmetries on an ergometer in trained high‐ and low‐point wheelchair rugby players
Author(s) -
GooseyTolfrey V. L.,
Vegter R. J. K.,
Mason B. S.,
Paulson T. A. W.,
Lenton J. P.,
Scheer J. W.,
Woude L. H. V.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13056
Subject(s) - sprint , wheelchair , mathematics , cycle ergometer , bicycle ergometer , physical therapy , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , heart rate , computer science , blood pressure , world wide web
The purpose of this study was to examine the propulsion asymmetries of wheelchair athletes while sprinting on an instrumented, dual‐roller ergometer system. Eighteen experienced wheelchair rugby players (8 low point ( LP ) (class ≤1.5) and 10 high point ( HP ) (class ≥2.0)) performed a 15‐second sprint in their sports wheelchair on the instrumented ergometer. Asymmetry was defined as the difference in distance and power output ( PO ) between left and right sides when the best side reached 28 m. Propulsion techniques were quantified based on torque and velocity data. HP players covered an average 3 m further than the LP players ( P = .002) and achieved faster sprint times than LP players (6.95 ± 0.89 vs 8.03 ± 0.68 seconds, P = .005) and at the time the best player finished (5.96 seconds). Higher peak PO s (667 ± 108 vs 357 ± 78 W, P = .0001) and greater peak speeds that were also evident were for HP players (4.80 ± 0.71 vs 4.09 ± 0.45 m/s, P = .011). Greater asymmetries were found in HP players for distance (1.86 ± 1.43 vs 0.70 ± 0.65 m, P = .016), absolute peak PO ( P = .049), and speed (0.35 ± 0.25 vs 0.11 ± 0.10 m/s, P = .009). Although HP players had faster sprint times over 28 m (achieved by a higher PO ), high standard deviations show the heterogeneity within the two groups (eg, some LP players were better than HP players). Quantification of asymmetries is important not only for classifiers but also for sports practitioners wishing to improve performance as they could be addressed through training and/or wheelchair configuration.