Perspectives on research conducted at the Paralympic Games

Abstract

Background and purpose

In 1994, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) established the IPC Sport Science Committee in an effort to bring Paralympic Movement relevant research questions to the academic world. In 1996, the IPC Sport Science Committee put an application system in place, allowing scholars to conduct research at the Paralympic Games. The aim of this perspective paper is to overview the main outcomes of the fifty-six research projects conducted from Atlanta 1996 until PyeongChang 2018 during Paralympic Games’ time; and to discuss the state-of-the-art of the IPC Research Strategic Goals.

Methods

Research projects conducted at the Paralympic Games from Atlanta 1996 to PyeongChang 2018 were clustered according to the IPC Research Strategic Goals (publications retrieved through the following procedure: analyzing the IPC Medical & Scientific Department project file; systematic search of Pubmed and SportDiscus with “Name Principal Investigator” and “Paralympic” as search terms; email to principal investigator if no outcome retrieved).

Results

Games-time projects targeted Paralympic research strategic goals, such as athletes’ health, athletes’ performance, evidence-based classification, participation, Paralympic legacy, and education.

Conclusion

Some of the projects proved high relevance and became standard Games’ operations; however, generally, projects operate in isolation and could benefit from collaboration with expert-stakeholders (e.g., athletes, coaches, governing International Sport Federations, relevant IPC departments, network of academic scholars). Sport science research in the Paralympic Movement should move fast and collaborative to catch up on evolution.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• From a health perspective, fine-tuning of the patient/athlete–equipment interface to optimize function/performance is a challenge for the rehabilitation specialist/coach.

• The musculoskeletal balance of the shoulder joints is a lifelong concern for permanent wheelchair users, especially those involved in dynamic wheelchair sports.

• Education about autonomic dysreflexia and boosting in patients/athletes with spinal cord injury is an integral part of the rehabilitation process.

• Rehabilitation experts have an ideal educational profile to contribute to evidence-based classification, as a para-sports classifier, or as a researcher.

Keywords:

• Elite athletes
• innovative research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).