A battery of strength tests for evidence-based classification in Para swimming

ABSTRACT

This study examined the validity of isometric strength tests for evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Thirty non-disabled participants and forty-two Para swimmers with physical impairment completed an isometric strength test battery designed to explain activity limitation in the freestyle discipline. Measures pertaining to dominant and non-dominant limb strength and symmetry were derived from four strength tests that were found to be reliable in a cohort of non-disabled participants (ICC = 0.85–0.97; CV = 6.4–9.1%). Para swimmers had lower scores in strength tests compared with non-disabled participants (d = 0.14–1.00) and the strength test battery successfully classified 95% of Para swimmers with physical impairment using random forest algorithm. Most of the strength measures had low to moderate correlations (r = 0.32 to 0.53; p ≤ 0.05) with maximal freestyle swim speed in Para swimmers. Although, fewer correlations were found when Para swimmers with hypertonia or impaired muscle power were analysed independently, highlighting the impairment-specific nature of activity limitation in Para swimming. Collectively, the strength test battery has utility in Para swimming classification to infer loss of strength in Para swimmers, guide minimum eligibility criteria, and to define the impact that strength impairment has on Para swimming performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability
• Paralympics
• cerebral palsy
• spinal cord injury
• validity
• reliability

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants for volunteering their time for this study. Also, the authors would like to acknowledge Jayden Lowrie, Samantha Yardy-Phelan, Hannah Jarvis and Ana Maia for their assistance in data collection. This research was supported by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), UK Sport, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (Applied Sports Science Research Grant), and the University of the Sunshine Coast (Faculty Research Initiatives Grants Scheme). Mark Connick, Emma Beckman and Sean Tweedy are members of the IPC Classification Research and Development Centre (Physical Impairments), which is supported by the International Paralympic Committee.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary Material

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Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the International Paralympic Committee;UK Sport; Exercise & Sports Science Australia [Applied Sport Science Research Grant]; University of the Sunshine Coast [Faculty Research Initiatives Grant Scheme].