The influence of water and air temperature on elite wheelchair triathlon performance.

Impaired thermoregulatory function is a clinical feature of many health conditions that affect triathletes using wheelchairs and consequently, individual athlete performances may fluctuate according to environmental temperature. We aimed to determine the effect of 1) water temperature on wheelchair triathlon swim time and 2) air temperature on handcycle and wheelchair run (push) time. Published race records from 2017 to 2023 ( = 49 events) were extracted from the World Triathlon website.

Evaluating the Validity of Tests to Predict Sprint and Change of Direction Speed in Para-Athletes With Brain Impairments.

Maximum running speed is a performance determinant in para-athletics and cerebral palsy football. Sixty international para-athletes with brain impairments completed five activity-limitation tests (standing broad jump, four bounds for distance, split jumps, 10-m speed skip, and running in place) and two criterion tests (40-m sprint and modified agility test). The same three tests (standing broad jump, four bounds for distance, and 10-m speed skip) that correlated with running performance in nondisabled runners (.

Dietary Patterns of Competitive Swimmers with Moderate-to-Severe Cerebral Palsy: A 3-Year Longitudinal Evaluation.

Aim: To evaluate the longitudinal dietary patterns of three adolescents with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy (CP) participating in a performance-focused swimming training intervention.

Method: Participants were three previously inactive adolescents with CP (15-16 years, GMFCS IV) who had recently (<6 months) enrolled in a swimming training program. Diet quality from diet histories was calculated at 10-time points over 3.

Time cost associated with sports participation for athletes with high support needs: a time-motion analysis of tasks required for para swimming.

Objectives: People with cerebral palsy and high support needs (CP&HSN) are profoundly inactive but also under-represented in studies evaluating physical activity interventions. Reasons for their exclusion have not been evaluated. We hypothesised that CP&HSN would be associated with high time costs of preparatory activities (eg, getting dressed/undressed), possibly contributing to low participation and under-representation.

Evaluation of a physical activity promotion intervention for adults with whiplash associated disorders: a single-case experimental design study.

Purpose: There is considerable variation in the physical and psychological presentations of people with whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). Optimal treatment continues to be a challenge. This research evaluated the efficacy of a community-located, theory-based intervention designed to promote physically active behaviour in people with persistent WAD, and thereby improve perceptions of pain interference and confidence completing activities in the presence of neck pain.

Bicycling and Tricycling Road Race Performance in International Para-Cycling Events Between 2011 and 2019.

This study described bicycling (C classes) and tricycling (T classes) performance in the International Cycling Federation road race events between 2011 and 2019. A total of 3243 race results from 33 events were analyzed. Race velocity was calculated for each result.

Validity of Two Wheelchair-Mounted Devices for Estimating Wheelchair Speed and Distance Traveled.

This study evaluated the validity of two wheelchair-mounted devices-the Cateye® and Wheeler-for monitoring wheelchair speed and distance traveled. Speed estimates were validated against a calibrated treadmill at speeds from 1.5 to 10 km/hr.

Does sports-specific training improve measures of impairment developed for para sport classification? A multiple-baseline, single-case experiment.

Conceptually, sports-specific training should not influence measures of impairment used to classify Para athletes. This study evaluated the extent to which measures of strength, range of movement and coordination developed for Para swimming classification changed in response to a performance-focused swimming programme. A five-phase multiple-baseline, single-case experimental research design was utilized.

Differentiating maximal and submaximal voluntary strength measures for the purposes of medico-legal assessments and para sport classification: A systematic review.

Measurement of maximum voluntary muscle contractions are effort-dependent - valid measurement requires maximal voluntary effort (MVE) from participants. Submaximal efforts (SMEs) yield invalid and potentially misleading results. This is particularly problematic in medico-legal and Para sport assessments where low strength scores may confer a personal advantage.

Biomechanics of starting, sprinting and submaximal running in athletes with brain impairment: A systematic review.

Objectives: Para athletes with brain impairment are affected by hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis, which adversely affect starting, sprinting and submaximal running. The aim was to identify and synthesise evidence from studies that have compared the biomechanics of runners with brain impairments (RBI) and non-disabled runners (NDR).

Design: Systematic review.

Evaluation of a novel intervention to improve physical activity for adults with whiplash associated disorders: Protocol for a multiple-baseline, single case experimental study.

Half of individuals with a whiplash injury experience ongoing pain and disability. Many are insufficiently active for good health, increasing their risk of preventable morbidity and mortality, and compounding the effects of the whiplash injury. This paper describes a protocol for evaluating the efficacy of a physical activity promotion intervention in adults with whiplash associated disorders.

Fitness, Function, and Exercise Training Responses after Limb Salvage With a Lower Limb Megaprosthesis: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To describe the fitness, function, and exercise training responses of patients following reconstruction of the lower limb with a total femoral (TF), proximal femoral (PF), distal femoral (DF), or proximal tibial (PT) megaprosthesis. TYPE: Systematic review.

Literature Survey: Five research databases were searched systematically for original studies published in English from 2006 to 2017 that reported fitness, functioning, or exercise training responses for one or more of the four types of lower limb megaprosthesis listed above.

Validity of the Apple Watch for monitoring push counts in people using manual wheelchairs.

A recent Apple Watch activity-monitoring innovation permits manual wheelchair users to monitor daily push counts. This study evaluated the validity of the Apple Watch push count estimate. Criterion validity.

Establishing the reliability of a novel battery of range of motion tests to enable evidence-based classification in Para Swimming.

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of swimming-specific range of movement tests developed in order to permit evidenced-based classification in the sport of para swimming.

Design: Test-retest intra- and inter-examiner reliability.

Setting: International Swimming training camps and university exercise science departments.

Applying Scientific Principles to Enhance Paralympic Classification Now and in the Future: A Research Primer for Rehabilitation Specialists.

Para-sport classification systems define eligibility for Para sport and provide a competition structure that controls for the impact of impairment on the outcome of competition. This article focuses on the classification of para athletes with physical impairments. Development of classification systems based on scientific evidence has only recently been made possible by adoption of a statement of the purpose of classification by the International Paralympic Committee and its member organizations.

Cluster analysis of novel isometric strength measures produces a valid and evidence-based classification structure for wheelchair track racing.

Background: The Para athletics wheelchair-racing classification system employs best practice to ensure that classes comprise athletes whose impairments cause a comparable degree of activity limitation. However, decision-making is largely subjective and scientific evidence which reduces this subjectivity is required.

Aim: To evaluate whether isometric strength tests were valid for the purposes of classifying wheelchair racers and whether cluster analysis of the strength measures produced a valid classification structure.

Exercise and sports science Australia (ESSA) position statement on exercise and spinal cord injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) may result in tetraplegia (motor and/or sensory nervous system impairment of the arms, trunk and legs) or paraplegia (motor and/or sensory impairment of the trunk and/or legs only). The adverse effects of SCI on health, fitness and functioning are frequently compounded by profoundly sedentary behaviour. People with paraplegia (PP) and tetraplegia (TP) have reduced exercise capacity due to paralysis/paresis and reduced exercising stroke volume.

Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Adults With Brain Impairment: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Individuals with brain impairment (BI) are less active than the general population and have increased risk of chronic disease.

Objective: This controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a physical activity (PA) intervention for community-dwelling adults with BI.

Methods: A total of 43 adults with BI (27 male, 16 female; age 38.

Relative Age Affects Marathon Performance in Male and Female Athletes.

Marathon runners are ranked in 5-year age groups. However the extent to which 5-year groupings facilitates equitable competition has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of relative age in male and female marathon running.

Using Fitts' Law to Detect Intentional Misrepresentation.

In paralympic classification, tests of impaired coordination (e.g., reciprocal tapping tasks) are effort dependent and therefore susceptible to intentional misrepresentation of abilities (IM)-deliberate exaggeration of impairment severity.