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- Muchaxo, Rafael E A, et al.
(författare)
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Do Handcycling Time-Trial Velocities Achieved by Para-Cycling Athletes Vary Across Handcycling Classes?
- 2020
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Ingår i: Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. - : Human Kinetics. - 0736-5829 .- 1543-2777. ; 37:4, s. 461-480
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The classification system for handcycling groups athletes into five hierarchical classes, based on how much their impairment affects performance. Athletes in class H5, with the least impairments, compete in a kneeling position, while athletes in classes H1 to H4 compete in a recumbent position. This study investigated the average time-trial velocity of athletes in different classes. A total of 1,807 results from 353 athletes who competed at 20 international competitions (2014-2018) were analyzed. Multilevel regression was performed to analyze differences in average velocities between adjacent pairs of classes, while correcting for gender, age, and event distance. The average velocity of adjacent classes was significantly different (p < .01), with higher classes being faster, except for H4 and H5. However, the effect size of the differences between H3 and H4 was smaller (d = 0.12). Hence, results indicated a need for research in evaluating and developing evidence-based classification in handcycling, yielding a class structure with meaningful performance differences between adjacent classes.
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| 2. |
- Muchaxo, Rafael E. A., et al.
(författare)
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The impact of lower-limb function on upper-limb pull and push strength in elite handcycling athletes
- 2023
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Ingår i: Sports Biomechanics. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1476-3141 .- 1752-6116.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigated the impact of performing a closed kinetic chain with the lower limbs on isometric upper-limb pull and push strength. Sixty-two elite handcyclists were assessed with the Manual Muscle Test and allocated to groups with partial to normal (LLF) or no lower-limb (no-LLF) function. Both groups performed upper-limb strength measurements under two kinetic-chain conditions. During the closed-chain condition, the lower limbs were attached to two footrests, providing horizontal and vertical support. During the open-chain condition, the footrests were removed and the limbs were supported vertically by a horizontal plate. Repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted to investigate main effects (open vs. closed chain, LLF vs. no-LLF) and their interaction. During pull, LLF performed better (p < 0.001, +11%) by pushing against the footrests. However, this increase in pulling strength during a closed-chain condition was not observed in the no-LLF. Therefore, findings suggest an advantage for the least impaired athletes by being able to perform lower-limb closed chains during pulling. Handcyclists with LLF can maximise pulling performance by adjusting the footrests. The classification system should consider the implications of these findings on the allocation of athletes with different levels of LLF and/or on the equipment regulation.
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