Objective: This study aimed to investigate which characteristics of athlete, wheelchair and athlete-wheelchair interface are the best predictors of wheelchair basketball mobility performance. Design: A total of 60 experienced wheelchair basketball players performed a wheelchair mobility performance test to assess their mobility performance. To determine which variables were the best predictors of mobility performance, forward stepwise linear regression analyses were performed on a set of 33 characteristics, including 10 athlete, 19 wheelchair, and 4 athlete-wheelchair interface characteristics. Results: A total of 8 of the characteristics turned out to be significant predictors of wheelchair basketball mobility performance. Classification, experience, maximal isometric force, wheel axis height, and hand rim diameter—which both are interchangeable with each other and wheel diameter—camber angle, and the vertical distance between shoulder and rear wheel axis—which was interchangeable with seat height—were positively associated with mobility performance. The vertical distance between the front seat and the footrest was negatively associated with mobility performance. Conclusion: With this insight, coaches and biomechanical specialists are provided with statistical findings to determine which characteristics they could focus on best to improve mobility performance. Six out of 8 predictors are modifiable and can be optimized to improve mobility performance. These adjustments could be carried out both in training (maximal isometric force) and in wheelchair configurations (eg, camber angle). https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-de-witte-9582b154/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueberger/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rienkvdslikke/
MULTIFILE
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of seat height, wheelchair mass and grip on mobility performance among wheelchair basketball players and to investigate whether these effects differ between classification levels. METHODS: Elite wheelchair basketball players with a low (n= 11, class 1 or 1.5) or high (n= 10, class 4 or 4.5) classification performed a field-based wheelchair mobility performance (WMP) test. Athletes performed the test six times in their own wheelchair, of which five times with different configurations, a higher or lower seat height, with additional distally or centrally located extra mass, and with gloves. The effects of these configurations on performance times and the interaction with classification were determined. RESULTS: Total performance time on the WMP test was significantly reduced when using a 7.5% lower seat height. Additional mass (7.5%) and glove use did not lead to changes in performance time. Effects were the same for the two classification levels. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology can be used in a wheelchair fitting process to search for the optimal individual configuration to enhance mobility performance. Out of all adjustments possible, this study focused on seat height, mass and grip only. Further research can focus on these possible adjustments to optimize mobility performance in wheelchair basketball. DOI: 10.3233/TAD-190251 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-de-witte-9582b154/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rienkvdslikke/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueberger/
MULTIFILE
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a combination of wheelchair mobility skills (WMS) training and exercise training on physical activity (PA), WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and physical fitness. Methods: Youth using a manual wheelchair (n = 60) participated in this practice-based intervention, with a waiting list period (16 weeks), exercise training (8 weeks), WMS training (8 weeks), and follow-up (16 weeks). Repeated measures included: PA (Activ8), WMS (Utrecht Pediatric Wheelchair Mobility Skills Test), confidence in wheelchair mobility (Wheelchair Mobility Confidence Scale), and physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, (an)aerobic performance) and were analysed per outcome parameter using a multilevel model analyses. Differences between the waiting list and training period were determined with an unpaired sample t-test. Results: Multilevel model analysis showed significant positive effects for PA (p = 0.01), WMS (p < 0.001), confidence in wheelchair mobility (p < 0.001), aerobic (p < 0.001), and anaerobic performance (p < 0.001). Unpaired sample t-tests underscored these effects for PA (p < 0.01) and WMS (p < 0.001). There were no effects on cardiorespiratory fitness. The order of training (exercise before WMS) had a significant effect on confidence in wheelchair mobility. Conclusions: A combination of exercise and WMS training appears to have significant positive long-term effects on PA, WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and (an)aerobic performance in youth using a manual wheelchair.Implications for rehabilitationExercise training and wheelchair mobility skills (WMS) training can lead to a sustained improvement in physical activity (PA) in youth using a manual wheelchair.These combined trainings can also lead to a sustained increase in WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and (an)aerobic performance.More attention is needed in clinical practice and in research towards improving PA in youth using a manual wheelchair.
De prestatie in rolstoelsporten wordt voor een groot deel bepaald door de ‘Wheelchair Mobility Performance’ (WMP), de prestatiemaat voor de atleet-rolstoel combinatie. Binnen het project ‘de perfecte sportrolstoel’ is een methode ontwikkeld ‘de Wheelchair Mobility Performance Monitor’ (WMPM) om mobility performance te meten en uit te drukken in een aantal objectief goed te kwantificeren uitkomstmaten zoals snelheid, versnelling en wendbaarheid. Deze maten geven inzicht in de relatie tussen atleet, rolstoel en sport. Door middel van de WMPM is het mogelijk inzicht te verkrijgen in de fysieke eisen die in rolstoelsport gesteld worden, feedback te geven aan atleten en coaches, het evalueren van training en wedstrijden en het kan rolstoelexperts ondersteunen in het optimaliseren van de rolstoel. Binnen het RAAK-project is de WMPM ontwikkeld en ingezet als onderzoekstool bij verschillende rolstoelsporten. De WMPM biedt echter ook goede kansen voor het gebruik door coaches in de beroepspraktijk. Echter, de WMPM is nog niet eenvoudig toepasbaar voor zelfstandig gebruik door coaches en atleten voor het continue monitoren van prestaties. Met deze aanvraag willen we de implementatie van de WMPM in de beroepspraktijk faciliteren, door het verder ontwikkelen van het systeem naar een praktijkapplicatie en door NL-team coaches en embedded scientists in de rolstoelsporten tennis en basketbal op weg te helpen in het gebruik. Daarbij zal er zowel aandacht zijn voor de technische vervolmaking, maar vooral ook voor de implementatie van het systeem in de sportpraktijk. Samen met coaches, atleten en onderzoekers zal een live feedback tool naar een voor de praktijk toegankelijk platform worden omgezet, zodat deze direct inzetbaar is in de voorbereiding op de Paralympische spelen van 2020 en verder. Hierbij zullen onderzoekers en studenten van meerdere opleidingen als ICT en media en mechatronica betrokken worden.
