Paratriathlon Race Performance in High-Level Athletes With Visual Impairments

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare time-trial performances in elite paratriathlon athletes, according to visual classes, sex, and medal distribution.DesignThe data were acquired from official books on Para Triathlon World Cups (2018–2020). The sample included 150 athletes with visual impairment, in classes: PTVI1, PTVI2, and PTVI3. One-way analysis of variance, the Student t test, and χ2 were used to compare the performance variables and association between visual impairment classes and distribution of medals within different visual impairment classes.ResultsSex comparisons demonstrated better performance for male athletes compared with female athletes (P < 0.05). In the sex-specific analysis, only cycling velocity was higher for female, being lower for PTVI1 compared with PTVI3 (P = 0.012). In visual impairment class results, the first transition time was higher for PTVI1 compared with PTVI2 (P = 0.050) and PTVI3 (P = 0.027) and, in the second transition, higher for PTVI1 compared with PTVI2 (P = 0.001). The χ2 test showed a higher percentage of gold medals for PTVI3 athletes considering the whole group (P = 0.050).ConclusionsThese results indicate that male athletes have better performance than female athletes. PTVI1 female athletes showed lower cycling velocity compared with PTVI3. Considering both male and female groups, blind athletes presented higher transition times and a lower percentage of medals.

Para Powerlifting Performance

“…The current study shows that absolute, relative, and absolute load as a %WR were higher for males when compared with female para powerlifters. Other investigations also have shown sex differences for World Championships and Paralympic Games powerlifters, 14 current world records holders Paralympic powerlifters, 4,19 tandem paracycling, 20 and paratriathlon race performance 21 . Interestingly, there were sex differences when the absolute load was expressed as a %WR, with males being stronger (+1%) than females relative to the world record.…”

“…Other investigations also have shown sex differences for World Championships and Paralympic Games powerlifters, 14 current world records holders Paralympic powerlifters, 4,19 tandem paracycling, 20 and paratriathlon race performance. 21 Interestingly, there were sex differences when the absolute load was expressed as a %WR, with males being stronger (+1%) than females relative to the world record. Although performance differences between males and females have been reported in the literature with able-bodied powerlifters, 4 para powerlifting athletes, 6 and para swimmers, 13 these differences are dependent on the modalities.…”