The Effect of a Newly Developed Hand Rim on Mobility Performance and Propulsion Technique in Wheelchair Tennis Players.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a newly developed hand rim in wheelchair tennis players from a lab and field perspective.

Methods: Nine wheelchair tennis players performed a set of field and lab tests with the new rim (NR) and regular rim on the racket side. Each player had a 60- to 120-minute regular training session with the NR.

Effects of near-monotonous speech of persons with Parkinson's disease on listening effort and intelligibility.

The majority of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) develop hypokinetic dysarthria with a disturbance of prosody. The most important acoustic characteristic of prosodic impairment in PD is a lack of fundamental frequency (F0)-variability. It is well established that a lack of F0-variability can negatively influence the speech intelligibility of neurotypical speakers in background noise.

A Scoping Review on Shoulder Injuries of Wheelchair Tennis Players: Potential Risk-Factors and Musculoskeletal Adaptations.

Wheelchair tennis players are prone to develop shoulder injuries, due to the combination of wheelchair propulsion, overhead activities and daily wheelchair activities. A methodical literature search was conducted to identify articles on shoulder complaints in wheelchair tennis, wheelchair sports and tennis. The aims were to identify (1) type of shoulder complaints; (2) possible risk factors for the development of shoulder injuries; (3) musculoskeletal adaptations in the shoulder joint in wheelchair tennis players.

A newly developed hand rim for wheelchair tennis improves propulsion technique and efficiency in able-bodied novices.

A new wheelchair tennis hand rim was developed, having a larger contact area and higher friction. How does this new hand rim compare to a regular hand rim regarding submaximal propulsion with a tennis racket during practice in novices? Twenty-four able-bodied novices (12 Regular Rim, 12 New Rim) completed a one-day experiment: pre-test, three practice-sessions and a post-test of 3 × 4 min each on a wheelchair ergometer (1.11 m/s, 7W).

A serious game for speech training in dysarthric speakers with Parkinson's disease: Exploring therapeutic efficacy and patient satisfaction.

Background: The increasing need for speech therapy due to our ageing population raises the demand on therapeutical resources. To meet this demand, innovative delivery of speech training is required. eHealth applications may provide a solution, as intensified and prolonged training is only possible and affordable in patients' home environment.