Paralympic Versus Olympic Canoe Sprint: Comprehension of the Development Trajectory of the Kayak 200 Meters.

Improvements in race times for male and female Para canoe athletes across different sports classes have led to a reduction in relative differences between classes over time. However, there is a lack of research examining the comparative developmental trajectories between high-performance Paralympic (PCS) and Olympic (OCS) canoe sprint. In this study, we compared the developmental trajectories of 200-meter kayak performances among PCS and OCS athletes. In total, we analyzed 628 race results obtained from public online databases, for nine competitions between 2015 and 2023. Race times were reduced over the years except in specific sports classes (KL3-M, K1-M, and K1-F; KL: Kayak Level, M: male, F: female), with a poor positive correlation (r = 0.17 to 0.33) between time and the years. For the remaining sports classes, these correlations ranged from poor to fair (r = -0.58 to -0.13). OCS K1 athletes outperformed their Paralympic counterparts. Among Paralympic classes, KL1 had slower times than KL2 and KL3 (p ≤ .05), with KL2 times significantly lower than KL3 in the female category. OCS athletes exhibited less variability in race times compared to PCS athletes. In the male category, there were no significant differences in the coefficients of variation (CV) and amplitude of race times between sport classes, except for KL1-M, which had a larger CV than K1 (p ≤ .05). In the female category, the CV and amplitude of race times were significantly higher in KL1-F compared to KL3-F and K1-F. OCS times remained stable from 2015, with KL3-M following a similar trend. PCS displayed greater race time variability, particularly in higher impairment classes, notably KL1. This underscores the existence of distinct developmental stages within the canoe sprint modality, particularly emphasizing the early developmental phase of KL1. It also provides valuable insights for coaches and sports selection, especially concerning athletes with more severe impairments, including those in Rehabilitation Centers and during athlete recruitment.

Age-Related Trajectory and Age at Peak Competitive Performance in Wheelchair Rugby Players at the Paralympic Games.

OBJECTIVE: The first objective is to examine the age-related trajectory of competitive performance and the age at peak competitive performance in wheelchair rugby players at the Paralympic Games. Another objective is to verify age correlations with performance over the years for each class. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Data were collected from the official results books of the Paralympic games. The mean age (SD) of the 267 players and 448 analyzed data from all Paralympic games (from Sidney 2004 to Tokyo 2020) across all classes was 32.8 (6.4) yrs, and the age at peak competitive performance was 30.6 (7.4) yrs. Each class had no statistical difference in age at peak competitive performance. In addition, there was no significant correlation between age and performance within classes or across all Paralympic games. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that wheelchair rugby players' age at peak competitive performance is 30.6 yrs, which remains consistent across all classes. There is no statistical correlation between age and performance in wheelchair rugby. These findings significantly affect effective talent identification and athlete development programs. This impact ensures that athletes receive the necessary support to reach their maximum potential while avoiding the pitfalls of underestimating or overestimating their stages of development.

Effects of different training methods in tele-exercise on acute performance decrement in adults with disability and wheelchair users.

PURPOSE: Wheelchair users and people with disabilities have limited access to physical exercise due to various factors, including medical follow-up and training facilities. Although tele-exercise guided by experts has become a viable option, there is limited knowledge about the acute performance decrement (APD) resulting from remote training methods. The current cross-sectional study aimed to: (1) assess the APD of muscle resistance strength after three synchronous tele-exercise training methods in wheelchair users and (2) compare the training loads associated with each training method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen male and female wheelchair users who participated in tele-exercise strength practices were recruited. The participants performed a maximum resistance strength test by synchronous tele-assessment (push-up test, PUT) at baseline and immediately after three training methods: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and sprint interval training (SIT). The primary outcome was the APD, which was measured by the percentage decrease in the number of repetitions of the PUT immediately after the training methods. RESULTS: APD was observed for all three training methods, with no significant differences between them (-34.8%, -29.9% and -38.0% for MICT, SIT and HII, respectively), and presented a non-significant correlation with the training loads. HIIT had a significantly higher training load than MICT and SIT. CONCLUSIONS: APD occurred in all training sessions, but did not correlate with training load, indicating that it is not an appropriate metric for comparison. Findings provide insight into APD response and highlight the need to consider multiple metrics when comparing training protocols.

Synchronous moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), sprint interval training (SIT) and high-intensity interval training tele-exercises provided similar acute performance decrement in wheelchair users and people with disabilities.High-intensity interval training showed a higher training load compared to MICT and SIT performed remotely.Acute performance decrement did not correlate with the training load.

Performance Trajectory Related to Age, Classification, and Sex in Elite Kayak Para Canoe Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to verify the performance trajectory related to age, classification (KL: kayak level; M: male; F: female), and sex of elite kayak Para canoe athletes. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Race results and athletes' data were retrieved from publicly available online databases for 17 competitions and 102 finals between 2015 and 2022. Race time reduced over the years except for KL3-M class. There was a reduction in the relative difference between KL2-M and KL3-M over the years ( r = -0.83, 95% confidence interval = -0.34 to -0.97, P ≤ 0.05). In addition, no significant differences were found in race times relative differences between KL2-F and KL3-F over the years. Although the correlation between age and performance was only found to be statistically significant in the KL3-F class, the ages of all classes (35.2, 32.6, 29.5, 34.6, 37.6, and 30.6 yrs for males and females KL1, KL2, and KL3, respectively) were higher than those in Olympic canoeing (27.8 yrs). CONCLUSIONS: Race times have improved overall since 2015, but not for the KL3-M class. Nevertheless, because of the stochastic ages of the finalist athletes, it was not possible to determine the age at which peak performance is achieved in all classes. Kayak Para canoe classes should be monitored in the coming years to determine whether interventions are necessary to improve differentiation.

Sit to stand test and handgrip strength in men and women with post-COVID-19 syndrome without invasive ventilator support: insights from a Brazilian observational study.

Two valid tests have been used in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (coronavirus disease 2019) due to their fast application, feasibility, and accessible procedures, facilitating data collection in large groups: the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (STS) and handgrip strength (HGS) dynamometry. The present study aimed to: i) assess the STS and HGS in men and women with post-COVID-19 syndrome who did not require invasive ventilator support; ii) correlate STS repetitions and HGS with time since the COVID-19 diagnosis. Six hundred and twenty-two men and women with post-COVID-19 syndrome who did not require invasive ventilatory support performed the STS and HGS tests at the beginning of the rehabilitation process at a Reference Hospital Centre. Women over 55 years presented significantly lower results compared to participants under 55 years. For the HGS, the median ranged from 42 to 48 kg and 70 to 81 kg for the female and male groups, respectively. The correlations of time since COVID-19 diagnosis with STS and HGS ranged from -0.16 to 0.02 (p>0.05) for women and men, respectively.The test results could be used for the initial analysis of normality ranges and comparisons with other populations. Although STS repetitions and HGS presented low and non-significant correlations with time since the COVID-19 diagnosis, some COVID-19 sequelae were not measured, so these data should be interpreted with caution.

Does tele-exercise training for tetraplegia meet the spinal cord injury-specific physical activity guidelines? A 7-month longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: Tele-exercise, defined as an intervention that offers physical training provided remotely, represents an alternative for remote care during social isolation and the absence of in-person interventions, considering the difficulties of regular exercise engagement in tetraplegia. The current study aimed to examine whether tele-exercise training in individuals with tetraplegia meets the recommendations proposed by the spinal cord injury (SCI)-specific guidelines, and the adherence. METHODS: Twenty SCI tetraplegia performed tele-exercise training. The weekly training load of the tele-exercise training during the 27 weeks was compared to the estimated training load of SCI-specific guidelines: TW vigorous guideline: vigorous intensity of guideline proposed for Tweedy et al.; MG vigorous guideline: vigorous intensity of guideline proposed for Martin Ginis et al.; MG moderate guideline: moderate intensity of guideline proposed for Martin Ginis et al. Adherence was obtained weekly during 27 weeks. RESULTS: The tele-exercise training load was 22.0% higher than the MG moderate guideline and 21.6% and 47.7% lower than the MG vigorous and TW vigorous guidelines, respectively. The tele-exercise training loads for men and women were, respectively, 2.3% and 35.0% higher than the MG moderate guideline; 34.0% and 13.2% lower than the MG vigorous guideline; and 56.1% and 42.1% lower than the TW vigorous guideline. Adherence was 45.1%. CONCLUSION: The tele-exercise training in men and women with tetraplegia for 7 months met the moderate intensity of recommendation proposed by one SCI exercise guideline. The adherence was 45.1%, with higher values for men compared to women. This finding shows that tele-exercise training may be an alternative exercise training intervention for tetraplegia and prompts reflexion on the inclusion of tele-exercise training in SCI exercise guidelines.

Cross-Cultural Translation and Adaptation of the Perceived Recovery Status Scale to Brazilian Portuguese.

CONTEXT: One of the primary training variables, although often overlooked, is recovery level achieved before starting subsequent training sessions. To find a more practical measurement that is consonant with the daily training routine, the Perceived Recovery Status (PRS) scale is proposed. In this perspective, the present study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the PRS scale into Brazilian Portuguese. DESIGN: This was a clinical measurement. METHODS: The cross-cultural translation was performed according to guidelines. Linguistic validation consisted of 5 stages: forward translation, translation synthesis, back translation, analysis of inconsistencies, and cognitive debriefing. RESULTS: During forward translation, different interpretations were obtained from the 2 translators (versions V1 and V2). Supported by an expert committee, a combined version (V3) was obtained from V1 and V2. During back translation, different interpretations were obtained from the 2 translators (versions V4 and V5). Discrepancies, applicability, and cultural equivalence were documented and analyzed by the expert committee participating in the cross-cultural translation procedure. During the cognitive debriefing, a group of 5 Brazilian people from the general population were asked to participate in a cognitive debriefing to assess the comprehensibility of the translated items. CONCLUSIONS: The PRS was translated and culturally adapted to Brazilian Portuguese (PRS-Brasil).

Feasibility and validity of the push-up test for synchronous and asynchronous strength tele-assessment in spinal cord injury individuals with paraplegia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether the synchronous and asynchronous push-up tele-assessment in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) is feasible and valid and to identify the relationship between the participants' self-reported asynchronous strength tele-assessment and asynchronous push-up tele-assessment. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Thirty-three men and women with SCI were included in this study. The participants were assessed using the one-maximum repetition test (1RM), the maximum repetitions with 60% of 1RM (MRT) of the bench press exercise, and synchronous and asynchronous push-up tele-assessment. The videos and the total repetitions performed were recorded. The primary outcomes were 1RM, MRT, synchronous push-up tele-assessment and asynchronous volume loads, and the participants' self-reported asynchronous strength tele-assessment volume load. RESULTS: The synchronous push-up tele-assessment and asynchronous volume loads presented significant correlations with 1RM (0.73 and 0.45, p < 0.001, respectively) and MRT volume loads (0.87 and 0.66, p < 0.001, respectively). The asynchronous push-up tele-assessment presented significant correlations with the synchronous version (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.72-0.93, p < 0.001) and participants' self-reported asynchronous strength tele-assessment volume loads (ICC = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.75-0.94, p < 0.001). The difference between the synchronous push-up tele-assessment and asynchronous volume load means was 254.9 kg, and the interval around the differences was 1856.1 kg. The difference between asynchronous push-up tele-assessment and participants' self-reported asynchronous strength tele-assessment means was -239.4 kg, and the interval around these was 1884.1 kg. CONCLUSION: The synchronous push-up tele-assessment is a feasible and valid way to assess the maximum resistance strength of individuals with SCI. Although the asynchronous push-up tele-assessment demonstrated excellent and significant correlations with the synchronous push-up tele-assessment and participants' self-reported asynchronous strength tele-assessment, the test repetitions and the volume loads were underestimated by 15.5% (synchronous push-up tele-assessment vs. asynchronous) and overestimated by 17.3% (asynchronous push-up tele-assessment vs. participants' self-reported asynchronous strength tele-assessment), and the effect sizes ranged from 0.19-0.38. The authors suggest emphasizing the criteria of repetition validity to reduce test error.

Validity of range of motion, muscle strength, sensitivity, and Tinel sign tele-assessment in adults with traumatic brachial plexus injury.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing created challenges for accessing and providing health services. Telemedicine enables prompt evaluation of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury, even at a distance, without prejudice to the prognosis. The present study aimed to verify the validity of range of motion, muscle strength, sensitivity, and Tinel sign tele-assessment in adults with traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of twenty-one men and women with TBPI admitted for treatment at a Rehabilitation Hospital Network was conducted. The participants were assessed for range of motion, muscle strength, sensitivity, and Tinel sign at two moments: in-person assessment (IPA) and tele-assessment (TA). RESULTS: The TA muscle strength tests presented significant and excellent correlations with the IPA (the intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC ranged between 0.79 and 1.00 depending on the muscle tested). The agreement between the TA and IPA range of motion tests ranged from substantial to moderate (weighted kappa coefficient of 0.47-0.76 (p < 0.05) depending on the joint), and the kappa coefficient did not indicate a statistically significant agreement in the range of motion tests of supination, wrist flexors, shoulder flexors, and shoulder external rotators. The agreement between the IPA andTA sensitivity tests of all innervations ranged from substantial to almost perfect (weighted kappa coefficient 0.61-0.83, p < 0.05) except for the C5 innervation, where the kappa coefficient did not indicate a statistically significant agreement. The IPA versus TA Tinel sign test showed a moderate agreement (weighted kappa coefficient of 0.57, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that muscle strength tele-assessment is valid in adults with TBPI and presented a strong agreement for many components of TA range of motion, sensitivity, and Tinel sign tests.

Internal and External Training Workload Quantification in 4 Experienced Paracanoeing Athletes.

CONTEXT: Paracanoeing is one of the adapted sports eligible for different motor impairments. The acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) is an index between acute and chronic training workload. However, no studies have analyzed this variable in paracanoeing, relating it with training recovery markers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to quantify the internal (session rating of perceived exertion) and external (distance traveled and total training time) training workloads in 4 experienced paracanoe athletes over 9 months and 5 canoeing events. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation Hospital Network, Paralympic Program. PARTICIPANTS: Four experienced paracanoe athletes participated in 36 weeks of training for 5 events. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The daily and weekly training workload, monotony, ACWR, distance, and total training time were described for all the training phases. The perceived recovery status scale (PRS) and medicine ball throw (MBT) were used to quantify recovery. RESULTS: The average daily and weekly training workload varied from 213.1 to 239.3 and 767.3 to 1036.8 arbitrary units, respectively. Average ACWR results ranged from 0.96 to 1.10 in the 4 athletes, findings that were outside the safety zone in 38% of the training weeks. All the correlations between MBT and PRS were classified as weak (ρ between .20 and .39, P > .05). ACWR showed a very weak correlation with MBT and moderately and highly significant correlations with PRS in 2 athletes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The training workloads of 4 paracanoe athletes may serve as a comparison with other periodization models. Pretraining recovery assessments (MBT and PRS) exhibited a low, nonsignificant correlation. However, ACWR correlated significantly with PRS in 2 athletes and might be a suitable tool for daily training adjustments.

Correlations Between Medicine Ball Throw With Wheelchair Mobility and Isokinetic Tests in Basketball Para-Athletes.

CONTEXT: A detailed analysis of wheelchair basketball skills in beginner wheelchair basketball players (WBP) can provide practitioners with important indications regarding the selection and prospective development of potential sports talents. A comprehensive WBP evaluation can be very time consuming, mainly during the initial phases of the training processes, which could be a barrier in clinical and practical settings. Moreover, the large number and the turnover of beginner WBP attending rehabilitation centers make the applicability of field and strength tests unfeasible. OBJECTIVE: To verify the relationships between the medicine ball throw (MBT) and wheelchair basketball mobility performance field tests and the shoulder and trunk peak torque in male and female beginner WBP. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation Hospital Network, Paralympic Program. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven female and male beginner WBP. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Participants performed wheelchair basketball field tests (speed, agility, strength, and power tests) and the maximum strength test in the isokinetic dynamometer. The outcomes were correlated with the MBT results. RESULTS: The MBT presented significantly very high and perfect correlations with all wheelchair basketball field tests assessed (5-m sprint, 20-m sprint, and zig-zag agility test with and without a ball), and peak torque (R2 ranging from .810 to .995; P ≤ .05) for male and female athletes. CONCLUSIONS: The MBT, a simple and feasible test, can be used for estimating and determining the wheelchair mobility performance of female and male beginner WBP. It is suggested to measure the distance of a 5-kg medicine ball thrown by athletes during training and testing routines to follow the players' progression.

Peak Torque Prediction Using Handgrip and Strength Predictors in Men and Women With Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To establish predictive equations for peak torque of muscle groups with totally and partially preserved innervation in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI), based on hand dynamometry and strength predictor variables. METHODS: The cross-sectional study conducted at a rehabilitation hospital consecutively recruited 108 men and women with SCI. All participants performed maximum peak torque tests for shoulder abduction/adduction (isokinetic), trunk flexion/extension (isometric), and handgrip strength testing (hand dynamometer) to establish predictive peak torque equations. The primary outcomes were peak torque variables. Handgrip strength, age, injury level, time since injury, age at injury, body mass, height, body mass index, and physical activity level were the secondary outcomes used as strength predictor variables. RESULTS: Handgrip strength was a predictor variable for shoulder abduction/adduction peak torque. The best predictive models for shoulder abduction/adduction peak torque exhibited R 2 = 0.57 and R 2 = 0.60, respectively (p ≤ .05). Injury level showed the highest significant predictive capacity for trunk flexion/extension peak torque models (R 2 = 0.38 and R 2 = 0.29; p ≤ .05). CONCLUSION: Shoulder abduction/adduction peak torque predictive equations may be an alternative for use in an accessible strength tool (hand dynamometry) to evaluate training and rehabilitation programs. Trunk flexion/extension peak torque equations exhibited moderate correlations and high standard error of the estimates and should be used with caution.

Accuracy and cut-off points of different models of knee extension strength analysis to identify walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Adequate muscle strength is essential for walking performance in individuals with stroke. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of different forms of muscle knee extension strength analysis to identify high or low walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-eight participants with a chronic stroke for more than six months participated. Independence for walking was judged by measurement of walking performance assessed for comfortable walking speed (CWS), maximum walking speed (MWS), and the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Peak knee extension torque of the paretic side, non-paretic side, sum of the sides (SS), and difference in the sides (DS) was assessed during concentric movements using an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The equation with greatest predictive capacity for CWS and MWS included the DS as the main predictor (R2 of 0.65 and 0.71, respectively, p < 0.05). The variable with the greatest predictive capacity for 6MWT was time since injury (R2 of 0.68, p < 0.05). The highest percentile for CWS in the receiver operating characteristic curve of DS was 25 Nm/kg (cut-off: -12.75 for CWS of 0.498 m/s). The 75th percentile of the 6MWT (324.3 m) was used as the cut-off for the SS (2.1 Nm/kg). The area under the curve for CWS was 0.76 (p < 0.05) on the DS and 0.75 (p < 0.05) for 6MWT on the SS. CONCLUSION: The models of muscle knee extension strength analysis using the SS and DS presented moderate accuracy to identify walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke.

Medicine Ball Throw Responsiveness to Measure Wheelchair Basketball Mobility in Male Players.

CONTEXT: Monitoring training loads and consequent fatigue responses are usually a result of personal trainers' experiences and an adaptation of methods used in sports for people without disabilities. Currently, there is little scientific evidence on the relationship between training load and fatigue resulting from training sessions in wheelchair sports. Analogous to the vertical jump, which has been associated with competitive performance and used to assess fatigue in Olympic sports, the medicine ball throw (MBT) is a fast, feasible, and accessible test that might be used to measure performance outcomes in Paralympic athletes. OBJECTIVE: To test the MBT responsiveness to detect meaningful changes after training sessions in beginner wheelchair basketball players (WBP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation Hospital Network, Paralympic Program. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve male WBP. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The participants performed 3 consecutive days of training sessions involving exercises of wheelchair basketball skills, strength, and power. The MBT test was performed pre and post training sessions. RESULTS: The smallest worthwhile change for MBT was 0.10 cm, and the lower and upper limits were 3.54 and 3.75 m, respectively. On the first day, the MBT started below the smallest worthwhile change lower limit and increased above the upper limit (3.53 and 3.78 m, respectively). On the second day, the MBT pretraining and posttraining session results were near the sample mean (3.62 and 3.59 m, respectively). On the third day, the WBP started the MBT test training higher than the upper limit (3.78 m) and decreased to near the mean (3.58 m). CONCLUSIONS: During 3 consecutive days of training sessions, the magnitude-based inference model presented meaningful changes in MBT test performance. The accurate association of the magnitude-based inference model with the MBT allows coaches and sports team staff to interpret the correct magnitude of change in WBP performance.

Muscle Strength Cutoff Points for Functional Independence and Wheelchair Ability in Men With Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Determine trunk and shoulder muscle strength cutoff points for functional independence and wheelchair skills, and verify the predictive capacity of relative and absolute peak torque in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: Men (N=54) with SCI were recruited and stratified into high and low paraplegia groups. INTERVENTIONS: All participants performed maximum strength tests for shoulder abduction or adduction (isokinetic) and trunk flexion or extension (isometric) to determine relative and absolute peak torque cutoff points for the Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III (SCIM-III) and Adapted Manual Wheelchair Circuit (AMWC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were SCIM-III, AMWC-Brazil test, and strength variables (peak torques). Demographic characteristics obtained from participants' electronic medical records were the secondary outcomes used as predictor variables of functional independence. RESULTS: The best predictive model for SCIM-III (R=0.78, P≤.05) used the sum of trunk flexion and extension relative peak torque values to determine the cutoff points (1.42 N·m/kg for a score of 70). Relative shoulder abduction peak torque was used in the predictive models for AMWC outcomes: performance score (R=0.77, P≤.05, cutoff points of 0.97 N·m/kg for 300.0m) and 3-minute overground wheeling (R=0.72, P≤.05, cutoff points of 0.96 N·m/kg for 18.5s). CONCLUSIONS: Relative peak torque showed better predictive capacity compared to absolute peak torque. Cutoff points were established for relative muscle strength and could help health professionals set appropriate goals for individuals with SCI to achieve high functional independence and wheelchair ability.

Are Body Composition, Strength, and Functional Independence Similarities Between Spinal Cord Injury Classifications? A Discriminant Analysis.

CONTEXT: There seems to be no consensus on which aspects better distinguish the different levels of spinal cord injury regarding body composition, strength, and functional independence. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine which variables better differentiate tetraplegia (TP) from paraplegia and high paraplegia (HP) from low paraplegia (LP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital network. PATIENTS: Forty-five men with spinal cord injury, n = 15 for each level (TP, HP, and LP) causing complete motor impairment (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale: A or B) were enrolled in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 1-maximum repetition test, functional independence measure, spinal cord independence measure, and body composition (skinfold sum, body fat percentage, and body mass index) were assessed. Discriminant analysis was carried out using the Wilks lambda method to identify which strength and functional variables can significantly discriminate subjects for injury classification (TP, HP, and LP). RESULTS: The discriminant variable for TP versus HP was body mass index and for TP versus LP was 1-maximum repetition (P ≤ .05). There were no variables that discriminated HP versus LP. CONCLUSIONS: The discriminant variables for TP versus HP and TP versus LP were body mass index and 1-maximum repetition, respectively. The results showed that HP and LP are similar for strength and functional variables.

Cross-validity of one maximum repetition predictive equation for men with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: The study aimed to test the cross-validation of a specific one maximum repetition (1RM) predictive equation based on the 4- to 12-maximum repetition test (4-12RM) for men with spinal cord injury (SCI). Study design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Rehabilitation Hospital Network. Participants: Fifty-eight men aged 31.9 (20.0-38.0) years (median and quartile) with SCI were enrolled in the study. Interventions: None. Outcomes measures: Volunteers were tested in 1RM test or 4-12RM of the bench press exercise with 2-3 interval days in a random order. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with Bland Altman plot was used to compare a specific predictive equation (SPE) and six current predictive equations (CPE) based on the 4- to 12-maximum repetition with the 1RM test. Results: The SPE showed the highest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.91; 95%CI 0.85-0.95), the smallest range of the interval around the differences (Δ = 36.6) and the second lowest mean difference between 1RM test and 1RM predictive equation (-2.4 kg). The CPE3 presented the lowest mean difference (-1.6 kg). All intraclass correlations' predictive equations were classified as excellent. Conclusion: The SPE presented a suitable and satisfactory validity to assess men with SCI at the bench press exercise. Thus, the equation is an accurate method to predict 1RM in SCI.

Differences of Relative and Absolute Strength of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury From Able-Bodied Subjects: A Discriminant Analysis.

CONTEXT: Strength training is one of the most common interventions employed to increase functional independence during rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, in the literature, different results have been reported in terms of strength modifications after a SCI compared with a control group (CG). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify whether discriminant analysis using relative and absolute strength is able to discriminate individuals with different levels of SCI from a CG and to compare strength values of men with different levels of SCI with a CG. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 36 individuals with SCI stratified in tetraplegia (TP; C6-C8), high paraplegia (HP; T1-T6), and low paraplegia (LP; T7-L2), and 12 matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The subjects performed a maximum strength test of elbow extension/flexion and also shoulder abduction/adduction and flexion/extension in an isokinetic dynamometer. Discriminant analysis was carried out to identify which strength variables would be able to discriminate the TP, HP, or LP groups from the CG. A 1-way analysis of variance was performed to compare peak torque and agonist/antagonist ratio means. RESULTS: Shoulder adduction, followed by elbow extension peak torque, was the best variable for discriminating the TP group from the CG (function coefficients: -0.056 and 0.051, respectively, Wilks Λ = 0.41, P ≤ .05). There were no significant differences between the HP group, LP group, and CG. CONCLUSIONS: The strength similarity of the paraplegic groups and the CG should not be extrapolated for activities of daily living or sports. The TP group demonstrated lower peak torque for all movements than the CG.