Effect of team rank and player classification on activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby players

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to establish which indicators of mobility are associated with successful wheelchair rugby performance and determine whether these indicators differed across classification. Data were collected from 11 international teams during 30 matches (353 match observations) using a radio-frequency-based, indoor tracking system across two tournaments. Players (n = 111) were first grouped by team rank as determined by their International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) world ranking (LOW, MID, HIGH) and then into one of four groups based on their IWRF classification: Group I (0.5), Group II (1.0–1.5), Group III (2.0–2.5) and Group IV (3.0–3.5). The volume of activity (relative distance and mean speed), peak speed and time spent within classification-specific arbitrary speed zones were calculated for each individual. Although no differences were identified in the volume of activity, playing time was significantly reduced in LOW (34:51 ± 8:35) compared to MID (48:54 ± 0:51) and HIGH (45:38 ± 9:53), which was further supported by the greater number of substitutions performed by LOW. HIGH achieved greater peak speeds (3.55 ± 0.40 m · sˉ¹) than LOW (3.27 ± 0.42 m · sˉ¹) and MID (3.45 ± 0.41 m · sˉ¹). Peak speed was further shown to be classification-dependent (P ≤ 0.005), whereby HIGH Groups III and IV players achieved greater peak speeds than LOW and MID. The time spent performing high-intensity activities was also greater in HIGH compared to LOW and MID, whilst further influenced by classification (P ≤ 0.0005). To conclude, peak speed and the ability to perform a greater number of high-intensity activities were associated with successful performance in wheelchair rugby.

Keywords:

• Paralympic sports
• performance
• player tracking
• mobility

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to further acknowledge the assistance of John Bishop at the IWRF, along with all the tournament organisers and Lakeshore Foundation staff for their assistance and support. Appreciation is also extended to the University of Nottingham for the development of the software and all the coaches and athletes who agreed to participate in this study.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from UK Sport and the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport.