RESUMEN
This study explored the classification experiences and views of Para Alpine skiers with visual impairment. Data from 11 interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate three themes: Suitability-The skiers questioned the suitability of the visual measurements, testing environment, and the information they received regarding classification; Exclusivity-Skiers felt certain aspects of the system remain exclusive due to the restrictions of sport classes and lack of the athlete voice; and (Dis)trust-Skiers felt distrust in those implementing the system and in other athletes due to intentional misrepresentation. Speculation surrounding this resulted in the skiers' feeling doubt in their own classification. While there is not a "one size fits all" approach to classification, understanding skiers' experiences can be a vital first step and will help to guide future research into the evolution of this sport's classification.
Asunto(s)
Esquí , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Entrevistas como Asunto , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Paratletas/clasificación , Trastornos de la Visión/clasificación , Atletas/clasificación , Atletas/psicología , Personas con Daño Visual , Confianza , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Rendimiento Atlético/estadística & datos numéricos , Deportes Acuáticos/fisiología , Paratletas/clasificación , Adulto , Conducta Competitiva/fisiología , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/fisiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In Paralympic sports, classification ensures fair competition by grouping athletes based on their impairments. The International Paralympic Committee has provided scientific principles to guide evidence-based classification procedures. In Paralympic Powerlifting, athletes compete in one class, divided by sex and bodyweight categories, overlooking impairment impact on performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish a consensus among international Paralympic powerlifting experts regarding classification and performance issues to guide future research. METHODS: A two-round Delphi study was conducted involving 26 experts. The study sought to identify the adequacy of the current classification and competition systems, explore the impact of various impairments, and lay the initial groundwork for a performance determinants model. RESULTS: Experts agreed that existing classification and competition systems in Paralympic powerlifting do not align with Paralympic standards. Impairments from neurological conditions and those causing anthropometric changes were suggested to have opposing performance impacts. Initial directions for a performance determinants model were outlined, focusing on arm and bar kinematics, anthropometry, and body composition. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the need for comprehensive research in Paralympic powerlifting, revealing critical discrepancies between current classification system and Paralympic standards. Insights into the multifaceted relationship between impairments and performance are provided to shape the future of Paralympic powerlifting research.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético , Consenso , Técnica Delphi , Paratletas , Levantamiento de Peso , Humanos , Paratletas/clasificación , Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Masculino , Femenino , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Adulto , Personas con Discapacidad/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Match-related performance analysis in judo Para athletes with visual impairments is important to coaches and staff to identify technical-tactical profiles of their athletes and opponents but also to identify whether there are similar characteristics in each visual class. Thus, this study explores the match-related performance in judo Para athletes and verifies the relationship between performance using the old and new classification systems. The match-derived variables were analyzed using different statistical methods considering a total of 182 matches from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The results indicated that performance was affected by sex and degree of impairment. The new classification system seems suitable for grouping Para judo athletes, as it differentiates performance between the two proposed classes (J1 and J2), since athletes from each group compete separately. Furthermore, different variability index measures were correlated with competitive performance, demonstrating a specific performance profile for each sport class in judo.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético , Artes Marciales , Paratletas , Humanos , Artes Marciales/clasificación , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Masculino , Femenino , Paratletas/clasificación , Tokio , Adulto , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Adulto Joven , Conducta Competitiva/fisiología , Trastornos de la VisiónRESUMEN
Fairness in sport is a widely shared meritocratic norm. Its application is usually restricted to equality of opportunity to compete for victory. Paralympic sports lay down a further challenge in that equality of opportunity must be shaped by considerations of fairness, evidenced by the development of discrete competition categories to construct fair and meaningful contests. In this article, we extend these philosophical ideas to consider how Fair Equality of Opportunity might operate in the context of Paralympic sports classification. We articulate three conceptions of fairness relevant to these sports: (i) background fairness; (ii) procedural fairness; and (iii) stakes fairness. We critically review the International Paralympic Committee's Policy on Sport Equipment in relation to the first two conceptions and argue that greater clarification, theorization and rule modification is required if physical prowess, as opposed to equipment technology, is to be assured as the dominant determinant of Paralympic athletic success.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Rendimiento Atlético/ética , Paratletas/clasificación , Equipo Deportivo/clasificación , Equipo Deportivo/ética , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/ética , Humanos , Tecnología/clasificación , Tecnología/éticaRESUMEN
The current protocol for classifying Para swimmers with hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis involves a physical assessment where the individual's ability to coordinate their limbs is scored by subjective clinical judgment. The lack of objective measurement renders the current test unsuitable for evidence-based classification. This study evaluated a revised version of the Para swimming assessment for motor coordination, incorporating practical, objective measures of movement smoothness, rhythm error and accuracy. Nineteen Para athletes with hypertonia and 19 non-disabled participants performed 30 s trials of bilateral alternating shoulder flexion-extension at 30 bpm and 120 bpm. Accelerometry was used to quantify movement smoothness; rhythm error and accuracy were obtained from video. Para athletes presented significantly less smooth movement and higher rhythm error than the non-disabled participants (p < 0.05). Random forest algorithm successfully classified 89% of participants with hypertonia during out-of-bag predictions. The most important predictors in classifying participants were movement smoothness at both movement speeds, and rhythm error at 120 bpm. Our results suggest objective measures of movement smoothness and rhythm error included in the current motor coordination test protocols can be used to infer impairment in Para swimmers with hypertonia. Further research is merited to establish the relationship of these measures with swimming performance.
Asunto(s)
Parálisis Cerebral/fisiopatología , Hipertonía Muscular/fisiopatología , Desempeño Psicomotor/fisiología , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/fisiología , Natación/fisiología , Acelerometría , Adulto , Algoritmos , Ataxia/fisiopatología , Atetosis/fisiopatología , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Fenómenos Biomecánicos/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Movimiento/fisiología , Hipertonía Muscular/clasificación , Paratletas/clasificación , Rendimiento Físico Funcional , Rango del Movimiento Articular/fisiología , Hombro/fisiología , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Natación/clasificación , Grabación en Video , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
This study examined the reliability of instrumented trunk assessment methods across two experiments to develop and improve evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Trunk coordination, range of motion (ROM), and strength were assessed in 38 non-disabled participants. Each test battery was completed on two occasions to determine inter-session reliability. Intra-session reliability was also determined in Experiment Two. Absolute agreement of two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1) was calculated to assess reliability. Standard errors of measurement (SEMs) were also reported to facilitate comparisons between different outcomes. Trunk coordination measures had low-to-moderate reliability (inter-session ICCs = 0.00-0.60; intra-session ICCs = 0.14-0.65) and variable SEMs (5-60%). Trunk ROM demonstrated moderate-to-excellent reliability (inter-session ICCs = 0.61-0.93; intra-session ICCs = 0.87-0.95) and good SEMs (<10%). Trunk strength measures demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability (ICCs = 0.87-0.98) and good SEMs (<10%). The strength values obtained for the load cell and hand-held dynamometer (HHD) were significantly different from each other with the HHD underestimating strength. Modifications provided in Experiment Two improved the reliability of strength and ROM assessments but did not improve coordination measures. Further research involving para swimmers is required to establish the validity of the methods.
Asunto(s)
Fuerza Muscular/fisiología , Desempeño Psicomotor/fisiología , Rango del Movimiento Articular/fisiología , Natación/fisiología , Torso/fisiología , Adulto , Fenómenos Biomecánicos/fisiología , Voluntarios Sanos , Humanos , Dinamómetro de Fuerza Muscular , Paratletas/clasificación , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sedestación , Columna Vertebral , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/fisiología , Natación/clasificación , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In Paralympic judo for athletes with vision impairment (VI judo) all eligible athletes (i.e. B1, B2 and B3 classes) compete against each other in the same competition. Evidence suggests that athletes with more impairment may be disadvantaged, but that more sensitive measures of performance are necessary to understand the impact of impairment on performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Para sport class and technical variation, time-motion variables, and performance in Paralympic judo. All 175 judo matches from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were analysed across 129 competitors (82 male and 47 female). The main results indicated that athletes who demonstrated less technical variation also experienced less competitive success, with the functionally blind athletes (class B1) demonstrating less technical variation than partially sighted (class B2 and B3) athletes (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the time-motion variables between sport classes (p > 0.05). We conclude that measures of technical variation are sensitive to differences in impairment and are suitable for studies that investigate the impairment-performance relationship in VI judo. Results further confirm that some athletes with impairment are disadvantaged under the current rules of VI judo.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Artes Marciales/fisiología , Paratletas , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/psicología , Trastornos de la Visión/fisiopatología , Análisis de Varianza , Rendimiento Atlético/estadística & datos numéricos , Ceguera/fisiopatología , Brasil , Femenino , Humanos , Internacionalidad , Masculino , Artes Marciales/clasificación , Artes Marciales/estadística & datos numéricos , Paratletas/clasificación , Factores Sexuales , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Estudios de Tiempo y Movimiento , Agudeza Visual , Personas con Daño Visual/clasificaciónRESUMEN
ABSTRACT: Identifying performance variables associated with visual impairment classification in para-cycling is one of the steps to improve the evidence-based classification system, and consequently, bring equality in Paralympic sports. Thus, this retrospective study aimed to analyze a 1-km tandem-track race performance among para-cyclists (male and female) with different visual impairment degrees (B1, B2, and B3) and to verify the retrospective performance over 20 yrs in all sport classes. The data were extracted from 427 para-cyclists (251 male and 176 female) who competed in the Para-Cycling World Championships and Paralympic Games. The following performance variables were analyzed: time trial, velocity, pace strategies, and number of medals. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare performance variables among athletes of different sport classes (B1, B2, and B3) and χ2 tests were implemented to test the association between sport classes and medal distribution with a level of significance set at a P value of less than 0.05. The main results revealed that partially sighted athletes exhibited better tandem-track race performance compared with blind athletes (P < 0.05). Significant associations between sport classes and medal distribution in male (P = 0.026) and female (P = 0.017) athletes were found (higher in B3 athletes). Only 23.2% of male and 41.5% of female B3 athletes were medalists, and B3 athletes performed better specifically compared with B1 in most race distances. Finally, B2 and B3 athletes showed higher performance improvements than B1 throughout 20 yrs in the male group. It was concluded that male and female visual impairment athletes who classified as B1 displayed lower tandem-track race performance and medal frequency compared with partially sighted athletes, mainly considering those in the B3 class. The competitive system for athletes with visual impairment should be improved to provide more equity in the track para-cycling events.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Ciclismo/fisiología , Paratletas/clasificación , Trastornos de la Visión/clasificación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Adapted sailing is a Paralympic sport in which sailors with different types of disabilities can compete in the same event. According to 2.4mR Class, eligible impairments include limb deficiency and vision impairment. However, it is still unknown the variables that determine performance. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (i) to identify the variables that determine the sailing performance, (ii) to analyse the influence of the type of impairment on sailing performance, and (iii) analyse the influence of the wind force on sailing performance. Thirty-three elite sailors with disabilities participated and were divided into three groups according to the type of impairment: affectation of upper, lower, or upper and lower limbs. Participants were evaluated during three 2.4mR class World Cups and the following variables were assessed: velocity made good, distance and manoeuvres in upwind-downwind courses and type of impairment. Those sailors with better performance travelled a shorter distance during downwind sailing. The results showed that performance was not affected by which category the sailor was placed according to the type of impairment. The sailors with a lesser disability perform better when the wind is medium and high.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético , Paratletas , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad , Deportes Acuáticos , Viento , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Extremidad Inferior , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Limitación de la Movilidad , Paratletas/clasificación , Navíos/clasificación , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Extremidad Superior , Trastornos de la Visión , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Classification within the sport of vision impairment (VI) shooting is based upon the athlete's visual function. This study aimed to determine whether more than one class of competition is needed within VI shooting on the basis of visual field loss. Qualification scores of 23 elite athletes were obtained at World Championship events in prone and standing shooting disciplines. Visual field data were obtained from classification data and from assessment at events. A standardized scoring protocol determined whether athletes had function (≥10 dB) or no function (<10 dB) at locations between 0-60 degrees eccentricity along 10 meridia. Visual field function was not associated with shooting performance in prone or standing disciplines (p > 0.05). Having measurable visual field function beyond 30 degrees made no difference to athletes' ability to shoot competitively in prone (p = 0.65) or standing disciplines (p = 0.47), although a potential impact on qualification was observed in the standing discipline. There was no evidence that loss of visual field function at any specific location adversely affected ability to shoot competitively. There is currently no evidence to consider visual fields in classification within prone or standing VI shooting, although further research is needed as the sport grows.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Paratletas , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/fisiología , Trastornos de la Visión/fisiopatología , Campos Visuales/fisiología , Personas con Daño Visual , Adulto , Anciano , Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Sensibilidad de Contraste , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Paratletas/clasificación , Posición Prona , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Posición de Pie , Agudeza VisualRESUMEN
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) mandates Paralympic Sports to develop evidence-based classification systems that allocate athletes into 'classes' according to the impact of their impairment on sport-specific performance. In wheelchair-basketball, a panel of classifiers assesses athlete's performance through observation. One key barrier to evidence-based classification is the absence of defined eligible impairments, including clear guidelines on how to assess them and their impact on wheelchair basketball performance. This study aims to reach expert consensus on issues specific to wheelchair basketball that can benefit from evidence-based classification. It offers recommendations for refining the classification manual, thus improving adherence to the IPC classification code. A three-round Delphi study was conducted with 29 experts in wheelchair basketball. The experts agreed with the new definition for the aim of wheelchair basketball classification, which is in line with the IPC code. Cases identified as having the highest risk for disagreement between classifiers included classifying players with upper limb deficiency or with impaired coordination. The panel failed to agree on changing the classification procedures and on defining the eligible impairment list. This study identifies issues specific to wheelchair basketball classification to be addressed in future research. Additional discussions need to take place to promote further resolution.
Asunto(s)
Comités Consultivos , Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Baloncesto/clasificación , Consenso , Técnica Delphi , Paratletas/clasificación , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Comités Consultivos/organización & administración , Ataxia/clasificación , Femenino , Humanos , Internacionalidad , Masculino , Rendimiento Físico Funcional , Extremidad Superior , Silla de RuedasRESUMEN
The purpose of para sport classification systems is to minimize the impact of impairment on competition outcome. Currently, athletes with intellectual impairment (II) compete in one class, regardless of the extent of activity limitation resulting from their impairment. Consequently, athletes with II that cause relatively minor difficulty in sport have a competitive advantage over athletes who have intellectual impairments that cause more significant advantage. This research investigated the efficacy of a measure of health-related functional impairment, derived from the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), as a tool to classify athletes with intellectual impairments (II) into groups with impairments that cause similar activity limitation. The first study used a Delphi technique to identify the most relevant codes within the ICF from which a measure of impairment presence and severity was derived. The second study investigated whether the measure could discriminate between groups of II athletes organized into three competition groups, and whether these groups could be predicted by ICF score. The ICF-based questionnaire shows promise as a conceptual approach and as a tool in this context, but this is a preliminary step before establishing a sport-specific approach to classification.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Discapacidad Intelectual/clasificación , Paratletas/clasificación , Personas con Discapacidades Mentales/clasificación , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Comités Consultivos/organización & administración , Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Comorbilidad , Técnica Delphi , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Femenino , Humanos , Discapacidad Intelectual/fisiopatología , Pruebas de Inteligencia , Internacionalidad , Masculino , Limitación de la Movilidad , Paratletas/psicología , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Trastornos Somatosensoriales/fisiopatología , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Natación/clasificación , Tenis/clasificación , Atletismo/clasificación , Organización Mundial de la SaludRESUMEN
Pacing places a high demand on intellectual functioning and has been found useful for classification of athletes with intellectual impairments (II). This may also be true in open-loop sports like basketball. The current study aimed to investigate the pacing behaviour of basketball players with and without II. Using time-motion analysis, the activity of elite basketball players with II (n = 37) and amateur players without II (n = 34) was coded into four movement categories over eight periods of each game: standing, walking, running and jumping. Following two-way ANOVA, an effect of group showed differences between groups in duration and frequency of the movement categories within each period of the games. Additionally, an effect of time suggested that players in both groups paced their performances. However, no interaction was found, indicating that pacing may not be different between groups. In conclusion, the results suggest that due to the dynamic nature of basketball, the included players paced more intuitively by responding to environmental cues and using less deliberate planning. The players with II demonstrated slower games, which may be due to an impaired ability to make quick moment-to-moment deliberate decisions. These skills should be further studied in the context of evidence-based classification.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Baloncesto/clasificación , Discapacidad Intelectual/clasificación , Paratletas/clasificación , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Análisis de Varianza , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Rendimiento Atlético/psicología , Baloncesto/fisiología , Toma de Decisiones , Metabolismo Energético/fisiología , Humanos , Discapacidad Intelectual/fisiopatología , Discapacidad Intelectual/psicología , Movimiento/fisiología , Paratletas/psicología , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Carrera/fisiología , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/fisiología , Posición de Pie , Deportes de Equipo , Estudios de Tiempo y Movimiento , Grabación en Video , Caminata/fisiologíaRESUMEN
This study examined the relationship between proximal arm strength and mobility performance in wheelchair rugby (WR) athletes and examined whether a valid structure for classifying proximal arm strength impairment could be determined. Fifty-seven trained WR athletes with strength impaired arms and no trunk function performed six upper body isometric strength tests and three 10 m sprints in their rugby wheelchair. All strength measures correlated with 2 m and 10 m sprint times (r ≥ -0.43; p ≤ 0.0005) and were entered into k-means cluster analyses with 4-clusters (to mirror the current International Wheelchair Rugby Federation [IWRF] system) and 3-clusters. The 3-cluster structure provided a more valid structure than both the 4-cluster and existing IWRF system, as evidenced by clearer differences in strength (Effect sizes [ES] ≥ 1.0) and performance (ES ≥ 1.1) between adjacent clusters and stronger mean silhouette coefficient (0.64). Subsequently, the 3-cluster structure for classifying proximal arm strength impairment would result in less overlap between athletes from adjacent classes and reduce the likelihood of athletes being disadvantaged due to their impairment. This study demonstrated that the current battery of isometric strength tests and cluster analyses could facilitate the evidence-based development of classifying proximal arm strength impairment in WR.
Asunto(s)
Brazo/fisiología , Fútbol Americano/fisiología , Movimiento/fisiología , Fuerza Muscular/fisiología , Paratletas , Prueba de Estudio Conceptual , Adulto , Ataxia/clasificación , Ataxia/fisiopatología , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Análisis por Conglomerados , Femenino , Fútbol Americano/clasificación , Humanos , Contracción Isométrica/fisiología , Masculino , Paratletas/clasificación , Valores de Referencia , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/fisiología , Silla de RuedasRESUMEN
In Para sport, the aim of classification is to minimize the impact of impairment on the outcome of competition. Despite requirements of the International Paralympic Committee Athlete Classification Code for classification to be evidence-based and sport-specific, sports for athletes with VI, including football, use the same generic classes across almost all sports. The aim of this study was to consult with experts to establish the needs and challenges for developing a code-compliant system of classification for VI football. A panel of 18 experts with international experience in VI football (16.8 ± 10.2 years) took part in a three-round Delphi study using online surveys. Results showed that the panel did not think that the current system completely fulfils the aim of classification. The panel identified measures of visual function they considered to be relevant but are not currently measured during classification including dynamic acuity, depth and motion perception, and contrast and light sensitivity. Moreover, they identified technical skills such as ball control, dribbling and passing, as well as perceptual-cognitive skills, as most likely to be affected by vision impairment. Findings outline the need for change and offer a framework for future research to develop an evidence-based classification for VI football.
Asunto(s)
Consenso , Testimonio de Experto , Paratletas/clasificación , Fútbol/clasificación , Trastornos de la Visión/clasificación , Personas con Daño Visual/clasificación , Adaptación Ocular , Comités Consultivos/organización & administración , Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Sensibilidad de Contraste , Técnica Delphi , Percepción de Profundidad , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Humanos , Internacionalidad , Percepción de Movimiento , Fútbol/fisiología , Trastornos de la Visión/fisiopatología , Agudeza Visual , Campos VisualesRESUMEN
The present paper describes the conceptual basis of evidence-based classification of para-athletes with intellectual impairment (II). An extensive description of the theoretical and conceptual foundation of the system as currently conceived is provided, as are examples of its applications in the three sports included in the Paralympic programme for II-athletes in 2020 (i.e., athletics, swimming and table tennis). Evidence-based classification for II-athletes is driven by two central questions: i. How can intellectual impairment be substantiated in a valid and reliable way, and ii. Does intellectual impairment limit optimal sport proficiency? Evolution of the system and current best practice for addressing these questions are described, and suggestions for future research and development are provided. Challenges of understanding and assessing a complex (multifaceted and intersectional) impairment in the context of sport also are considered.
Asunto(s)
Rendimiento Atlético/clasificación , Paratletas/clasificación , Personas con Discapacidades Mentales/clasificación , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Rendimiento Atlético/psicología , Función Ejecutiva , Humanos , Discapacidad Intelectual/diagnóstico , Pruebas de Inteligencia , Internacionalidad , Paratletas/psicología , Personas con Discapacidades Mentales/psicología , Rendimiento Físico Funcional , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/psicología , Natación/clasificación , Tenis/clasificación , Atletismo/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Measurement of maximum voluntary muscle contractions are effort-dependent - valid measurement requires maximal voluntary effort (MVE) from participants. Submaximal efforts (SMEs) yield invalid and potentially misleading results. This is particularly problematic in medico-legal and Para sport assessments where low strength scores may confer a personal advantage. Therefore, objective methods for accurately differentiating MVE and SME are required. This systematic review aimed to identify, appraise and synthesise evidence from scientific studies evaluating the validity of objective methods for differentiating MVE from SME during maximal voluntary contractions. Four electronic databases were searched for original research articles published in English and secondary references appraised for relevance yielding 25 studies for review. Methods were categorised based on eight distinct underlying theories. For isokinetic strength assessment, methods based on two theories - Strength-measure Ratios and Inter-Trial Strength Consistency - correctly classified 100% MVE and > 92% SME. Consequently, research evaluating the relative suitability of these methods for translation into practice is warranted. During isometric strength assessments, methods based on Deceptive Visual Feedback and Force-length properties warrant further investigation. Both methods yielded statistically significant differences between MVE and SME, with minimal overlap in values, but their sensitivity and specificity have not been evaluated.
Asunto(s)
Fuerza Muscular , Paratletas/clasificación , Examen Físico/normas , Deportes para Personas con Discapacidad/clasificación , Humanos , Miografía/normas , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
A fundamental aspect of classification systems in Paralympic sport is having valid and reliable measures of impairment. However, minimal consensus exists for assessing impaired strength, coordination and range of motion. This review aimed to systematically identify measures of upper body strength, coordination and range of motion impairments that meet the requirements for use in evidence-based classification systems in wheelchair sports. Three electronic databases were searched from 2003 until 31 August 2019 for studies that assessed upper body function of participants and used a measurement tool that assessed strength, coordination or range of motion. The body of evidence for each identified measure was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Twenty-three studies were included: ten measured strength and coordination, and six measured range of motion. There was "moderate" confidence in using isometric strength for assessing strength impairment. Tapping tasks for the assessment of coordination impairment received a "low" confidence rating. All other identified measures of coordination and range of motion impairment received a "very low" confidence rating. Several potential measures were identified for assessing upper body strength, coordination and range of motion impairments. Further research is warranted to investigate their use for classification in Paralympic wheelchair sports.