| 1. |
- Qvarfordt, Anna, 1965-, et al.
(författare)
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Para sport and anti-doping: a study of Swedish Para athletes' experiences and perceptions
- 2024
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2624-9367. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: A well-functioning anti-doping system relies on being perceived by athletes as effective, fair, and practically feasible to implement. While research has highlighted the views of Olympic athletes on anti-doping over the past decade, the experiences and perceptions of Para athletes have not been extensively explored. The purpose of this study was to examine Swedish elite Para athletes' experiences and perceptions of the policy and practice of the anti-doping system.Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional approach was used, with a web survey elaborated from a survey with Olympic athletes adjusted for Para athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments. The sample consisted of 66 active Para athletes competing at national or international level (response rate 71%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and differences between subgroups were examined Fisher's exact test. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze open-ended questions.Results: Most of the respondents expressed a positive outlook on the anti-doping system, advocating for comprehensive efforts. A significant portion (35%) had not received anti-doping education, with those who did reporting increased confidence in avoiding unintentional doping. Despite their elite status, half of the respondents had not undergone doping control. Mistrust regarding the system's effectiveness and fairness was identified, with over half of the participants emphasizing the need for new technical solutions to enhance procedures specifically tailored for Para athletes.Discussion: The athletes in this study advocate for a Para sports-focused approach in the anti-doping system, emphasizing equal testing opportunities, procedural adjustments for independence and privacy, and increased access to education. The findings illuminate the unique conditions faced by athletes with impairments within the anti-doping system, offering valuable insights for policymaking in the development of anti-doping strategies tailored to Para athletes and their various impairments.
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| 2. |
- Bjerkefors, Anna, 1966-
(författare)
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Positive Effects of Kayak and Kayak Ergometer Training by people with Paraplegia
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a complete or partial loss of motor and/or sensory function below the injury level. An SCI causes extensive functional impairment compelling many persons to wheelchair usage. Maintaining an adequate strength and control of trunk and shoulder muscles becomes essential, as the majority of every day tasks will be performed in a sitting position. Moreover, physical exercise is crucial to avoid risks connected with a sedentary life-style. Therefore, it becomes important to find suitable, effective, and attractive physical activities to retain and even improve motor functions achieved during rehabilitation. Ideally, such a training activity should be versatile and have the potential to improve several capacities beneficial to everyday life and thereby increase the independence of persons with SCI. Kayak paddling appears to fulfil several of the criteria for such an activity.Objectives The overall aims were to see if, and to what extent, a period of training on a modified kayak ergometer could influence functional performance as well as specific qualities, such as, shoulder muscle strength and sitting balance control in a group of post-rehabilitated persons with thoracic SCI.Methods Ten adult post-rehabilitated persons with thoracic SCI performed 30 sessions of kayak ergometer training for a 10-week period, with progressively increased intensity and balance demand in the medio-lateral direction. Pre- and post-training measurements included performance in functional wheelchair tests, maximal voluntary shoulder muscle strength, and trunk stability in response to support-surface translations.Results There were significant improvements with training in functional performance, shoulder muscle strength, and the ability to maintain an upright sitting posture in response to balance perturbations in the group of persons with SCI.Conclusions The improvements in test-performance observed with the kayak ergometer training in the persons with SCI should enhance their capacity to master similar challenges in everyday life, which, in turn, might lead to a greater independence.
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| 3. |
- Bjerkefors, Anna, 1966-, et al.
(författare)
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Seated Double-Poling Ergometer Performance of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury - A New Ergometer Concept for Standardized Upper Body Exercise
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Sports Medicine. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0172-4622 .- 1439-3964. ; 34:2, s. 176-182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aimed to evaluate biomechanics during seated double-poling exercises in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to compare these with those of able-bodied persons (AB). 26 participants volunteered for the study; 13 with SCI (injury levels C7-T12), and 13 AB. A seated double-poling ergometer (SDPE) was developed. 3-dimensional kinematics was measured and piezoelectric force sensors were used to register force in both poles for calculation of power during incremental intensities. Significantly lower power outputs, (143.2 ± 51.1 vs. 198.3 ± 74.9 W) and pole forces (137.1 ± 43.1 vs. 238.2 ± 81.2 N) were observed during maximal effort in SCI compared to AB. Sagittal upper trunk range of motion increased with intensity and ranged from 6.1–34.8 ° for SCI, and 6.9–31.3 ° for AB, with larger peak amplitudes in flexion for AB (31.4 ± 12.9 °) compared to SCI (10.0 ± 8.0 °). All subjects with SCI were able to exercise on the SDPE. Upper body kinematics, power and force outputs increased with intensity in both groups, but were in general, lower in SCI. In conclusion, the SDPE could be successfully used at low to high work intensities enabling both endurance and strength training for individuals with SCI
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| 4. |
- Bjerkefors, Anna, 1966-, et al.
(författare)
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Three-Dimensional Kinematics and Power Output in Elite Para-Kayakers and Elite Able-Bodied Flat-Water Kayakers.
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Biomechanics. - : Human Kinetics. - 1065-8483 .- 1543-2688. ; , s. 93-100
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Trunk, pelvis and leg movement are important for performance in sprint kayaking. Para-kayaking is a new Paralympic sport in which athletes with trunk and/or leg impairment compete in three classification groups. The purpose of this study was to identify how physical impairments impact on performance by examining: differences in three-dimensional joint range of motion (RoM) between 10 (4 females, 6 males) elite able-bodied kayakers and 41 (13 females, 28 males) elite para-kayakersfrom the three classification groups, and which joint angles were correlated with power output during high intensity kayak ergometer paddling. There were significant differences in RoM between the able-bodied kayakers and the three para-kayak groups for the shoulders (flexion, rotation: able-bodied kayakerspara-kayakers) and legs (hip, knee, ankle flexion: able-bodied kayakers>para-kayakers) during paddling. Furthermore, athletes with greater impairment exhibited lower trunk and leg RoM compared to those with less impairment. Significant positive correlations were observed for both males and females between power output and peak shoulder and trunk flexion, trunk and pelvis rotation RoM and hip, knee and ankle flexion RoM. This information is important for understanding how key kinematic and kinetic variables for para-kayaking performance vary between athletes from different classification groups.
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| 5. |
- Edwards, John, et al.
(författare)
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Paracanoe
- 2019
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Ingår i: Canoeing. - Hoboken, NJ : Wiley-Blackwell. - 9781119097204 ; , s. 106-115
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 6. |
- Liljedahl, Johanna B, et al.
(författare)
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Para-cycling race performance in different sport classes.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 43:24, s. 3440-3444
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The para-cycling classification system, consisting of five classes (C1-C5) for bicycling (C5 athletes having least impairments), is mostly based on expert-opinion rather than scientific evidence. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in race performance between para-cycling classes. Methods: From official results of the men's 1 km time trials for classes C1-C5 of seven Union Cycliste Internationale World Championships and Paralympics, median race speed of the five fastest athletes in each class was calculated (n = 175). Para-cycling results were expressed as a percentage of able-bodied performance using race results from the same years (n = 35). To assess differences between consecutive classes, Kruskal-Wallis tests with Mann-Whitney U post hoc tests were performed, correcting for multiple testing (p < 0.013). Results: Para-cyclists in C1 reached 75% (median ± interquartile range = 44.8 ± 4.2 km/h) and in C5 90% (53.5 ± 2.9 km/h) of able-bodied race speed (59.4 ± 0.9 km/h). Median race speed between consecutive classes was significantly different (χ2 = 142.6, p < 0.01), except for C4 (52.1 ± 2.8 km/h) and C5 (U = 447.0, p = 0.05). Conclusion: Current para-cycling classification does not clearly differentiate between classes with least impairments.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe current classification system is not evidence-based and does not clearly differentiate between relevant groups of para-cyclists.An evidence-based para-cycling classification system is essential for a fair and equitable competition.Fair competition will make it more interesting and increase participation.Para-cycling can inspire everyone with and even those without disabilities to be physically active.
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| 7. |
- Liljedahl, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Isometric, dynamic, and manual muscle strength measures and their association with cycling performance in elite para-cyclists.
- 2023
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 0894-9115 .- 1537-7385. ; 102:5, s. 461-467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Para-cycling classification aims to generate fair competition by discriminating between levels of activity limitation. This study investigated the relationship between lower limb Manual Muscle Tests (MMT) with ratio-scaled measures of isometric and dynamic strength, and of the ratio-scaled measures with cycling performance.DESIGN: Fifty-six para-cyclists (44 males, 12 females) with leg impairments performed isometric and dynamic strength tests: leg push and pull, and an all-out 20 s sprint. MMT results were obtained from the classification database (n = 21) and race speeds from time trials (n = 54).RESULTS: Regression analyses showed significant associations of MMT with isometric push (R2 = .49), dynamic push (R2 = .35), and dynamic pull (R2 = .28). Isometric strength was significantly correlated with dynamic push (ρ = .63) and pull (ρ = .54). The isometric and dynamic tests were significantly associated with sprint power and race speed (R2 = .16-.50).CONCLUSION: The modified MMT and ratio-scaled measures were significantly associated. The significant relation of isometric and dynamic strength with sprint power and race speed maps the impact of lower limb impairments on para-cycling performance. MMT and the isometric and dynamic measures show potential for use in para-cycling classification.
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| 8. |
- Liljedahl, Johanna
(författare)
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Towards evidence-based classification in para-cycling
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of classification in Paralympic sport is to minimize the impact of impairment on the outcome of competition. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the impact of different types of impairments on para-cycling performance to develop an evidence-based classification system in the para-cycling C (bicycling) and T (tricycling) divisions.This thesis is based on four articles. The first article examined differences in race performance between para-cycling classes by comparing track race results. The second article evaluated leg strength measures in para-cyclists with musculoskeletal impairments. The third article investigated leg coordination and leg strength and the association with para-cycling performance in para-cyclists with hypertonia, ataxia, or athetosis. The fourth article aimed to gather consensus on para-cycling classification issues and to identify research priorities within para-cycling, by consulting a panel with expertise within para-cycling and para-sport.This thesis has identified performance characteristics in para-cyclists with musculoskeletal and coordination impairments, and suggested tests with potential to be used in para-cycling classification to assess muscle strength and coordination. The results indicate that the classes for athletes with the least impairments, as well as the classes for athletes with impaired coordination, need to be further investigated.
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| 9. |
- Nooijen, Carla F J, et al.
(författare)
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The relation between sprint power and road time trial performance in elite para-cyclists.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. - : Elsevier. - 1440-2440 .- 1878-1861. ; 24:11, s. 1193-1198
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Whilst cycling performance has been studied extensively, very little is known about the performance of para-cyclists. This study assessed the relation between sprint power and road time trial performance in elite para-cyclists, and whether this relation differed based on impairment type and type of bike used.DESIGN: Cross-sectional.METHODS: During international para-cycling events, 168 athletes (88 bicycles, 17 tricycles, 56 recumbent handbikes and 7 kneeling handbikes) performed 20-s sport-specific sprint tests (mean power output (POmean) W), and their road time trial performance (average speed (km/h)) was taken from the official results. Multilevel regression models to assess the relation of sprint with time trial performance were composed for i. leg-cyclists: bicycle and tricycle and ii. arm-cyclists: recumbent- and kneeling handbike, adjusted for identified confounders. Furthermore, impairment type (categorized as i) muscle power/range of motion, ii) limb deficiency/leg length difference, and iii) coordination) and bike type were tested as effect modifiers.RESULTS: POmean ranged from 303 ± 12 W for recumbent handcyclists to 482 ± 156 W for bicyclists. POmean was significantly related to time trial performance, for both leg-cyclists (β = 0.010, SE = 0.003, p < 0.01) and arm-cyclists (β = 0.029; SE = 0.005, p < 0.01), and impairment type and bike type were not found to be effect modifiers.CONCLUSIONS: Sprint power was related to road time trial performance in all para-cyclists, with no differences found in this relation based on impairment type nor bike type. For those competing on a bicycle, tricycle, recumbent- or kneeling handbike, sprint tests might therefore be useful to predict or monitor time trial performance.
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| 10. |
- Rosén, Johanna
(författare)
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Performance determinants and classification in paracanoe
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Valid classification systems are vital for Paralympic sports in order to minimise the impact of impairment on sports performance. To achieve valid classification, each Paralympic sport must develop evidence-based classification systems by examining the impact of impairment on key performance determinants. The aim of this thesis was to examine the impact of impairment on key performance determinants in para va’a and para kayak. Additional aims were to examine the reliability of the para va’a classification system and the validity of the para kayak classification system.In studies I and III, three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data from the arms, trunk and legs as well as force from the paddle was collected. Ten non-impaired va’a and 44 para va’a athletes participated in study I and 10 non-impaired kayak and 41 para kayak athletes participated in study III. In study II, three international classifier teams, each comprised of a medical and technical classifier, classified 12 para va’a athletes using the new trunk, leg and on-water classification test batteries and class allocation for para va’a. In study IV, 3D kinematics of the trunk, legs and paddle as well as forces at the footrest, seat and paddle were measured in 17 para kayak athletes with above knee (AK) (n=11) or below knee (BK) (n=6) amputation.The main findings were:If para va'a athletes have full trunk function, the level of leg impairment does not affect the performance in terms of paddling force (Study I).The inter-rater reliability of the evidence-based classification system for para va’a was excellent with no discrepancies between the classifier teams in class allocation and minor discrepancies in individual tests (Study II).The differences between the three para kayak classes were in line with the definition of the classes in the new evidence-based classification system for para kayak. In addition, no significant correlations were seen between power output and joint variables in trunk or legs for two of the three classes indicating that these classes are valid (Study III).Differences between athletes with AK and BK amputation were seen for variables concerning the hip joint. No differences were however seen between the groups in paddle performance variables (Study IV).In conclusion, this thesis has described how athletes with different impairment differ in key performance determinants for para va’a and para kayak. The results of the thesis also gave indications that the new evidence-based classification system for para va’a is reliable and that the new evidence-based classification system for para kayak is valid in regard to two of the three classes.
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