Tracking of wheelchair rugby players in the 2008 Demolition Derby final

Abstract

The kinematics of male wheelchair rugby players (n = 8) during the final match of the 2008 Demolition Derby were assessed using two cameras (10 Hz) and a tracking method based on image-processing techniques. The players' on-court trajectory, total and accumulated distances covered, distances covered during working and stopped game clock, and average velocity were calculated. The players covered 2294.7 ± 391.5 m in the first half and 2245.4 ± 431.5 m in the second half. The average velocity was 14.5% greater in the first (1.22 ± 0.21 m · s⁻¹) than in the second half (1.05 ± 0.20 m · s⁻¹). The reduction in velocity was most marked in players with less functional capacity. The working game clock represented 48% of total game time (32 of 66.8 minutes) and the distance covered by all players during working game clock was 60% of the overall distance covered during the whole game (36,323 m). The results provide new information regarding the dynamics of a wheelchair rugby match and should aid coaches in planning effective training and coaching strategies.

Keywords:

• Biomechanics
• kinematics
• wheelchair sport
• disability sport
• quad rugby

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the players who participated in this study, the organizing committee of the 2008 Demolition Derby, Lakeshore Foundation, and INAPSS. This work was supported by PRODOC-CAPES (0131/05-9), Fapesp (00/01293-1), and CNPq (451878/2005-1).