Comparative external workload analysis based on the new functional classification in cerebral palsy football 7-a-side. A full-season study

ABSTRACT

The evolution of functional classification (FT) is important for promoting competitive balance. Technological advances allow the objective monitoring of competitive demands that is required to manage and individualize workloads. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize external workload in all matches from the 2018/2019 season of the CPF7 Spanish National League and to compare demands based on the new FT (FT1, FT2 yFT3) in time-motion (locomotion and speed changes) and accelerometer-based workload (impacts). Statistical analysis was composed of one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc and omega partial squared effect size. Differences were found among all FT in total distance, running, high-intensity, sprinting, very high accelerations and decelerations (FT3> FT2> FT1; p < .01; ω_p²= 0.29-to-0.43); and with respect to the highest functional limitation (FT3 = FT2> FT1) in maximum sprinting, moderate-high accelerations and decelerations, total impacts and at very-low intensity (ω_p²= 0.13-to-0.29). In conclusion, FT3 players presented a physical advantage with respect to FT2-FT1 players in competition, especially in high-intensity actions that are crucial in team-sports performance. The present results facilitate designing specific training workloads according to FT, players’ disability and competition demands, being the first approach to characterize match demands with inertial devices based on the new FT.

KEYWORDS:

• Adapted sports
• cerebral palsy
• disability
• external load
• competitive demands
• microtechnology

Acknowledgments

Authors want to thank the collaboration offered by the Regional Federation of Disability Sports and the Regional Football Federation for the completion of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The author Carlos D. Gómez Carmona was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities [FPU17/00407]. This study has been partially subsidized by the Aid for Research Groups [GR18170] from Junta de Extremadura (Consejería de Economía e Infraestructuras), with contribution from the European Union from the European Funds for Regional Development.