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ABSTRACT
The practice of the wheelchair rugby is becoming more and more worldwide. However, few biomechanical studies have focused on this sport. The aim of this study was to compare kinematic parameters of wheelchair rugby players, classified as defensive players (LP-D) versus offensive players (HP-O). Twenty-nine wheelchair rugby players (17 LP-D and 12 HP-O) performed a 20-m sprint test. The peak velocities, temporal parameters (propulsion phase time, deceleration phase time, cycle time and cycle frequencies) and asymmetries (the difference in peak velocities between the right and the left wheels) were measured at the acceleration and constant peak velocity phases of the sprint by an inertial measurement unit which was placed on each rear wheel. At the acceleration and constant peak velocity phases, peak velocities and cycle frequencies were higher in HP-O players than LP-D players. The deceleration phase times and the cycle times were higher in LP-D players than HP-O players. However, no significant difference in asymmetry was found between LP-D players and HP-O players. The HP-O players showed superior performance than the LP-D players, but they could be more exposed at risk of injury at their upper limbs than LP-D players.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank all the athletes and their coaches who took part in this study. In addition, we thanks INSEP (National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance), Ministry of Sports and ‘‘Fédération Française Handisport (FFH)’’ which financially supported this study. The study was approved by the France National Ethics Committee for Research in the Physical Activity and Sport Sciences [CERSTAPS, No. 2018-16-07-27].
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).