Open AccessKinematic bidimensional analysis of the propulsion technique in wheelchair rugby athletes
Author(s) -
Sara Maria Franchin,
Federico Giordani,
Michele Tonellato,
Michael Benazzato,
Giuseppe Marcolin,
Paolo Sacerdoti,
Francesco Bettella,
A. Musumeci,
Nicola Petrone,
Stefano Masiero
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of translational myology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.271
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2037-7460
pISSN - 2037-7452
DOI - 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8902
Subject(s) - kinematics , wheelchair , physical medicine and rehabilitation , athletes , range of motion , biomechanics , propulsion , simulation , physical therapy , engineering , computer science , medicine , physics , aerospace engineering , anatomy , classical mechanics , world wide web
Wheelchair rugby is a sport ideated for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) which is extremely important for maintaining their neuromuscular abilities and improving their social and psychological wellbeing. However, due to the frequent changes in direction and speed it considerably stresses the players’ upper limbs. 13 athletes have undergone two sports-related tests on an inertial drum bench and several kinematic parameters have been registered. Most athletes use a semi-circular pattern which is considered protective for the upper limb. With increasing speed, range of motion (ROM) increases. Release angles increment and contact angles reduce, displacing the push angle forward to increase speed. Instead, the more anterior late push angle used to increase velocity is a factor which further loads the shoulder joint. However, other factors affecting propulsion technique, such as posture and wheelchair set up should be studied to further reduce loading on the upper limb.