OBJECTIVE:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of anthropometric characteristics and gender on postural balance in adults. One hundred individuals were examined (50 males, 50 females; age range 20-40 years).METHODS:The following body composition measurements were collected (using bone densitometry measurements): fat percentage (% fat), tissue (g), fat (g), lean mass (g), bone mineral content (g), and bone mineral density (g/cm2). In addition, the following anthropometric measurements were collected: body mass (kg), height (cm), length of the trunk-cephalic region (cm), length of the lower limbs (cm) and length of the upper limbs (cm). The following indices were calculated: body mass index (kg/m2), waist-hip ratio and the support base (cm2). Also, a postural balance test was performed using posturography variables with open and closed eyes.RESULTS:The analysis revealed poor correlations between postural balance and the anthropometric variables. A multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the whole group (female and male) height explained 12% of the medial-lateral displacement, 10% of the speed of oscillation, and 11% of the displacement area. The length of the trunk-cephalic length explained 6% of the displacement in the anteroposterior direction. With eyes closed, the support base and height explained 18% of the medial displacement, and the lateral height explained 10% of the displacement speed and 5% of the scroll area.CONCLUSION:Measured using posturography, the postural balance was only slightly influenced by the anthropometric variables, both with open and closed eyes. Height was the anthropometric variable that most influenced postural balance, both in the whole group and separately for each gender. Postural balance was more influenced by anthropometric factors in males than females.

This study provides novel evidence indicating that trunk strength and balance differ among various classes of WCB players, and objective measures of trunk function correlate positively with the current observation-based WCB classification system.

This study aimed to investigate the association between the optimum power load in the bench press (BP), shoulder press (SP), and prone bench pull (PBP) exercises and acceleration (ACC) and speed performances in 11 National Team wheelchair basketball (WB) players with similar levels of disability. All athletes were previously familiarized with the testing procedures that were performed on the same day during the competitive period of the season. First, athletes performed a wheelchair 20-m sprint assessment and, subsequently, a maximum power load test to determine the mean propulsive power (MPP) in the BP, SP, and PBP. A Pearson product–moment correlation was used to examine the relationships between sprint velocity (VEL), ACC, and the MPP in the three exercises. The significance level was set as p < .05. Large to very large significant associations were observed between VEL and ACC and the MPP in the BP, SP, and PBP exercises (r varying from .60 to .77; p < .05). The results reveal that WB players who produce more power in these three exercises are also able to accelerate faster and achieve higher speeds over short distances. Given the key importance of high and successive ACCs during wheelchair game-related maneuvers, it is recommended that coaches frequently assess the optimum power load in BP, SP, and PBP in WB players, even during their regular training sessions.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training associated with interval training on respiratory muscle strength and fatigue and aerobic physical performance (PP) in high-performance wheelchair basketball athletes. Methods: Blinded, randomized clinical trial with 17 male wheelchair basketball players, randomized into control group (CG; n = 8) and training group (TG; n = 9). Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by measuring maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), aerobic PP by the Yo-Yo test for wheelchair, and recovery of inspiratory muscle fatigue was assessed at 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after exercise test. TG performed inspiratory muscle training protocol with incremental loading for 12 weeks with 50%, 60%, and 70% of MIP, while CG performed with load 15% of MIP. Results: After training period, CG presented a significant increase in MIP and MEP (P ≤ .05), with no change in aerobic PP (P ≥ .05). TG showed a significant increase for all variables (≤.05). MIP showed a large effect size for CG (1.00) and TG (1.35), while MEP showed a moderate effect for CG (0.61) and TG (0.73); distance covered had a moderate effect size for TG (0.70). For recovery of inspiratory muscle strength, CG did not present differences, while TG recovered in 10 minutes (≤.05), representing 87% of the pretest value. Positive and significant correlation between MIP and distance (.54; P ≤ .05) was observed. Conclusion: Inspiratory muscle training protocol with progressive loading was more effective for increasing aerobic PP and maximal inspiratory strength recovery.

Abstract--Trunk muscle strength affects trunk controlling playing an important role in performance and to define the classes of wheelchair basketball players. Trunk control capacity differs among players and quantitative assessments of trunk muscle strength have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to identify and correlate quantitative measures of trunk muscle strength with the wheelchair basketball players' classification. Forty-two male wheelchair basketball players with spinal cord injury, amputation, post-poliomyelitis sequelae, and cerebral palsy had their trunk extension and flexion strength evaluated with isokinetic dynamometer. The classes 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 were considered for statistical analysis. Comparison of trunk muscle strength differed significantly between classes: 1.0 and 3.0; 1.0 and 4.0; 2.0 and 3.0; and 2.0 and 4.0. High correlation was found between the trunk muscle strength and players' classes. The findings of the present study showed a strong correlation of trunk muscle strength and wheelchair basketball classes being able to distinguish players in their classes. However, this quantitative method of evaluation of the trunk muscle strength cannot be solely used to make a decision on the full trunk control.