Developing tests of impaired coordination for Paralympic classification: normative values and test–retest reliability

Connick, Mark J.; Beckman, Emma; Deuble, Rebecca; Tweedy, Sean M.

doi:10.1007/s12283-016-0199-5

Cited by 18 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…MMT has been suggested to have limited use in classification as it is ordinal-scaled [1, [16][17][18]. In general, a valid assessment of coordination impairments is also one of the more challenging aspects in other para-sport classification systems [19,20]. Using race performance to confirm or correct class allocation could create differences between classes that do not necessarily mirror the degree of impairment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Para-cycling race performance in different sport classes

Liljedahl

Bjerkefors

Arndt

et al. 2020

Disability and Rehabilitation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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 ¼ 175). Para-cycling results were expressed as a percentage of able-bodied performance using race results from the same years (n ¼ 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 ¼ 44.8 ± 4.2 km/h) and in C5 90%

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Para-cycling race performance in different sport classes

Liljedahl

Bjerkefors

Arndt

et al. 2020

Disability and Rehabilitation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The purpose of the DVFTT is also to assess how fast, in seconds, an individual can move his or her finger from one plate to another. Connick et al ( 19 ) also reported high-to-excellent intersession reliability for this test (ICC = 0.92) in individuals without disabilities.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…A period of at least 3 s had to pass between the trials, and participants were instructed to not move their finger until the researcher gave the start signal with the verbal command “Go!” The purpose of this test is to assess how fast, in seconds, an individual can move his or her finger from one plate to the other. Connick et al ( 19 ) reported high-to-excellent intersession reliability for this test with young participants without disabilities (ICC = 0.85).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…The test battery to assess arm coordination grouped four different tapping tests, following similar protocols to those described by Connick et al ( 19 ) and Deuble et al ( 20 ), with good reliability. The three discrete ILC tests assessed movement time average (s) of the arm, while the continuous test assessed the number of taps ( n ) that each participant was able to make between plates during the testing period.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This type of tests, which are mainly based on the Fitts’ Law postulates ( 18 ), requires participants to perform discrete or reciprocal finger–hand motions on a surface as quickly and accurately as possible in a specific period of time or to perform a certain number of strikes of such motions. Recently, such tests have successfully been applied in the para-sports context for classification purposes, including wheelchair racing, running, jumping, and throwing events ( 19 ) or even as a potential tool to identify intentional misrepresentation in para-athletes ( 20 ). However, these studies have been carried out only with individuals without disabilities, biasing its application in individuals with CP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Manual Dexterity and Intralimb Coordination Assessment to Distinguish Different Levels of Impairment in Boccia Players with Cerebral Palsy

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundBoccia is a paralympic sport played by athletes with severe neurological impairments affecting all four limbs. Impaired manual dexterity (MD) and intralimb coordination (ILC) may limit individuals’ ability to perform certain activities such as grasping, releasing, or manipulating objects, which are essential tasks for daily life or to participate in para sports such as boccia. However, there are currently no specific instruments available to assess hand–arm coordination in boccia players with severe cerebral palsy (CP).PurposeTo design new sport-specific coordination tests to assess impaired MD and ILC in boccia players; afterward, quantify to what extent their coordination is impaired compared to a control group (CG) without neurological impairments.MethodsSeventy-three recreational boccia players with severe CP (BC1: age = 34.01 ± 16.43 years; BC2: age = 33.97 ± 14.29 years), and 19 healthy adults (age = 27.89 ± 7.08 years) completed the test battery. The Box and Block test (BBT) and Box and Ball test (BBLT) were used to assess MD and four tapping tests to assess upper ILC.ResultsBoth MD tests were able to discriminate between sport classes. Boccia players obtained better scores in the BBLT in comparison to the BBT, showing that the BBLT had more appropriate testing features. On the other hand, only one of the ILC tests was able to discriminate between sport classes, displaying the highest practical significance (d = −1.12). Participants with CP scored significantly worse in all the coordination tests compared to the CG.ConclusionUsing sport-specific equipment facilitated grasp function during the MD assessment. Regarding the ILC, the type of movement (continuous vs. discrete) seems to be more relevant for classification than the movement direction (vertical vs. horizontal) or the presence of a ball.

show abstract