Improving mobility performance in wheelchair basketball

Improving mobility performance in wheelchair basketball

Veeger, Thom T.J. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
De Witte, Annemarie M.H. (The Hague University of Applied Sciences; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Berger, Monique A.M. (The Hague University of Applied Sciences)
van der Slikke, R.M.A. (TU Delft Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control; The Hague University of Applied Sciences)
Veeger, H.E.J. (TU Delft Biomechanical Engineering; TU Delft Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Hoozemans, Marco J.M. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Biomechanical Engineering

2017

Objectiev:
This study aimed to investigate which characteristics of athlete, wheelchair and athlete-wheelchair interface are the best predictors of wheelchair basketball mobility performance.

Design:
Sixty experienced wheelchair basketball players performed a wheelchair mobility performance test to assess their mobility performance. To determine which variables were the best predictors of mobility performance, forward stepwise linear regression analyses were performed on a set of 33 characteristics, including ten athlete, nineteen wheelchair and four athlete-wheelchair interface characteristics.

Results:
Eight of the characteristics turned out to be significant predictors of wheelchair basketball mobility performance. Classification, experience, maximal isometric force, wheel axis height and hand rim diameter - which both interchangeable with each other and wheel diameter - camber angle, and the vertical distance between shoulder and rear wheel axis – which was interchangeable with seat height - were positively associated with mobility performance. The vertical distance between the front seat and the footrest was negatively associated with mobility performance.

Conclusion:
With this insight, coaches and biomechanical specialists are provided with statistical findings to determine which characteristics they could focus on best to improve mobility performance. Six out of eight predictors are modifiable and can be optimized to improve mobility performance. These adjustments could be carried out both in training (maximal isometric force) and in wheelchair configurations (e.g. camber angle).

wheelchair configuration
athletic performance
Paralympic
wheelchair-athlete interface

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:85e3c405-25c3-4ea1-8d03-0956ec30f547

https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0142

1056-6716

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 28 (2019) (1), 59-66

Accepted Author Manuscript

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2017 Thom T.J. Veeger, Annemarie M.H. De Witte, Monique A.M. Berger, R.M.A. van der Slikke, H.E.J. Veeger, Marco J.M. Hoozemans