Relationship Between Power Output and Speed-Related Performance in Brazilian Wheelchair Basketball Players

Abstract

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.

With or without straps? A pilot study to investigate whether restraint devices affect the wheelchair basketball players' performance

“…Specifically, the speed gain revealed in the 20-m straight line test could be attributed to an increase in trunk stability that leads to powerful movements arising from the shoulder and the wrist muscles. 17,18 In fact, the upper body kinetic chain links the pelvis, trunk, shoulder, arm, and wrist muscles explaining that movement is a complex of muscular and articular activation from different body segments. 19 After the human movement concept of proximal to distal sequencing, 20 the action of driving the wheelchair requires that the maximal acceleration is supplied to the end of the linked segments, that is the hand, by the anatomical segments that precede it proximally.…”

Rendimiento físico de atletas varones de élite de baloncesto en silla de ruedas de la región del Biobío-Chile en inicio del período preparatorio: estudio transversal (Physical performance of wheelchair basketball athletes with Paralympic projection of th

“…Los atletas de BSR deben presentar óptima performance en su capacidad de aceleración y velocidad máxima, por considerarse como variables determinantes en la referida modalidad (Villacieros et al,2020). La prueba de sprint en distancia de 20 metros está asociado a la velocidad de aceleración y máxima de atletas en silla de ruedas (Vandanlewijck et al, 1999) y puede ser considerado como una prueba control para monitorear el desempeño de los atletas de BSR (Loturco et al, 2020).…”

“…En ese sentido, Villacieros et al (2020) destacan la importancia e influencia de los niveles de fuerza de las musculaturas de rotación de hombro, flexión y extensión de codo, en miembros dominantes, para adquisición de mayores niveles de velocidad máxima en los atletas de BSR, así como en acciones como pasar, botear y frenar. Loturco et al (2020) evaluaron 11 atletas varones de élite brasileños con CD superior 3.0 y el valor promedio para T20m fue de 3,83±0,31. De acuerdo con los autores, se puede observar diferencia de performance de los atletas de BSR, según el nivel competitivo de los atletas.…”

Physical Characteristics and Competition Demands of Elite Wheelchair Basketball

“…Strength can be defined as the maximum force produced by muscle (42) and is critical to enhance athletic performance and reduce injury incidence (71). The bench press commonly determines upper-extremity strength in WCB athletes (46,76). Performance in WCB depends on the ability to generate force using the upper extremities (76), which has been related to game performance as measured by coach evaluations on a scale of 1-10 (r 5 0.55) (86), improved times on a repeated change of direction t test (r 5 0.69) (35), and a 20-m push test (r 5 0.51-0.77) (36,46).…”

“…The bench press commonly determines upper-extremity strength in WCB athletes (46,76). Performance in WCB depends on the ability to generate force using the upper extremities (76), which has been related to game performance as measured by coach evaluations on a scale of 1-10 (r 5 0.55) (86), improved times on a repeated change of direction t test (r 5 0.69) (35), and a 20-m push test (r 5 0.51-0.77) (36,46). Power, defined as the product of force (strength) and velocity (speed) (2), is also recognized as a key factor for successful sports performance (47).…”