Activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby players during competition

Rhodes, James M.; Mason, Barry S.; Perrat, Bertrand; Smith, Martin J.; Malone, Laurie A.; Goosey-Tolfrey, Victoria L.

Abstract

To quantify the activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby and establish classification-specific arbitrary speed zones. Additionally, indicators of fatigue during full matches were explored. Methods: Seventy-five elite wheelchair rugby players from eleven national teams were monitored using a radio-frequency based, indoor tracking system across two international tournaments. Players who participated in complete quarters (n = 75) and full matches (n = 25) were included and grouped by their International Wheelchair Rugby Federation functional classification: group I (0-0.5), II (1.0-1.5), III (2.0-2.5) and IV (3.0-3.5). Results: During a typical quarter, significant increases in total distance (m), relative distance (m·minˉ¹), and mean speed (m·sˉ¹) were associated with an increase in classification group (P < 0.001), with the exception of group III and IV. However, group IV players achieved significantly higher peak speeds (3.82 ± 0.31 m·sˉ¹) than groups I (2.99 ± 0.28 m·sˉ¹), II (3.44 ± 0.26 m·sˉ¹) and III (3.67 ± 0.32 m·sˉ¹). Groups I and II differed significantly in match intensity during very low/low speed zones and the number of high-intensity activities in comparison with groups III and IV (P < 0.001). Full match analysis revealed that activity profiles did not differ significantly between quarters. Conclusions: Notable differences in the volume of activity were displayed across the functional classification groups. However, the specific on-court requirements of defensive (I and II) and offensive (III and IV) match roles appeared to influence the intensity of match activities and consequently training prescription should be structured accordingly.

Citation

Rhodes, J. M., Mason, B. S., Perrat, B., Smith, M. J., Malone, L. A., & Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L. (2015). Activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby players during competition. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(3), https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0203

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 4, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 19, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 19, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
• Print ISSN: 1555-0265
• Electronic ISSN: 1555-0273
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0203
• Keywords: Movement Demands, Performance Analysis Fatigue, Classification, Paralympic
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/746026
• Publisher URL: http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijspp-back-issues/ijspp-volume-10-issue-3-april/activity-profiles-of-elite-wheelchair-rugby-players-during-competition
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Human Kinetics in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance on 01/04/2015, available online: http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijspp-back-issues/ijspp-volume-10-issue-3-april/activity-profiles-of-elite-wheelchair-rugby-players-during-competition