Time-Trial Performance of Para-Cycling Athletes With Visual Impairment in Tandem Competitions

Abstract

Identifying performance variables associated with visual impairment classification in para-cycling is one of the steps to improve the evidence-based classification system, and consequently, bring equality in Paralympic sports. Thus, this retrospective study aimed to analyze a 1-km tandem-track race performance among para-cyclists (male and female) with different visual impairment degrees (B1, B2, and B3) and to verify the retrospective performance over 20 yrs in all sport classes. The data were extracted from 427 para-cyclists (251 male and 176 female) who competed in the Para-Cycling World Championships and Paralympic Games. The following performance variables were analyzed: time trial, velocity, pace strategies, and number of medals. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare performance variables among athletes of different sport classes (B1, B2, and B3) and χ2 tests were implemented to test the association between sport classes and medal distribution with a level of significance set at a P value of less than 0.05. The main results revealed that partially sighted athletes exhibited better tandem-track race performance compared with blind athletes (P < 0.05). Significant associations between sport classes and medal distribution in male (P = 0.026) and female (P = 0.017) athletes were found (higher in B3 athletes). Only 23.2% of male and 41.5% of female B3 athletes were medalists, and B3 athletes performed better specifically compared with B1 in most race distances. Finally, B2 and B3 athletes showed higher performance improvements than B1 throughout 20 yrs in the male group. It was concluded that male and female visual impairment athletes who classified as B1 displayed lower tandem-track race performance and medal frequency compared with partially sighted athletes, mainly considering those in the B3 class. The competitive system for athletes with visual impairment should be improved to provide more equity in the track para-cycling events.

Paratriathlon Race Performance in High-Level Athletes With Visual Impairments

“…That is, PTVI1 had a velocity approximately 9.75% lower than PTVI3, indicating that VI negatively impacts this type of task during paratriathlon competitions. Similar results were observed by Lima et al 7 (2021), who investigated the influence of sport classification on tandem track race performance in high-level VI athletes. Interestingly, the same behavior (i.e., lower tandem track race performance in blind athletes) was seen over 20 yrs of World Championships and Paralympic Games.…”

“…2). Similar results were found for tandem paracycling in international competitions, in which the B1 class (totally blind) obtained a lower percentage of medals in both male and female groups (2% and 7%) compared with B2 (21% and 14%) and B3 (23% and 22%), respectively, over 20 yrs 7 . In other VI sports where all athletes compete in the same category, such as judo, a similar behavior was found, as B1 athletes usually perform worse and present lower odds of obtaining medals compared with their partially sighted counterparts 6,8,18 .…”

“…Similar results were found for tandem paracycling in international competitions, in which the B1 class (totally blind) obtained a lower percentage of medals in both male and female groups (2% and 7%) compared with B2 (21% and 14%) and B3 (23% and 22%), respectively, over 20 yrs. 7 In other VI sports where all athletes compete in the same category, such as judo, a similar behavior was found, as B1 athletes usually perform worse and present lower odds of obtaining medals compared with their partially sighted counterparts. 6,8,18 Therefore, a substantial amount of evidence has been presented in VI sports (i.e., paracycling, judo, and paratriathlon) that blind athletes (B1 or PTVI1) have a disadvantage during competitions, which is demonstrated by worse performance and a lower percentage (odds ratio) of medals.…”

“…Aspects related to evidence-based classification have been studied in other VI sports. [6][7][8] To the best of our knowledge, performances of each VI class and sex in paratriathlon athletes have not yet been explored. In addition, identifying the competitive performance (e.g., time-trial performance in different tasks and medal distributions) and transition time (e.g., the transition time between tasks, from swimming to cycling, and cycling to running), especially in the world competition could provide important results from two perspectives: understanding the performance profile of athletes according to VI class and sex, and identifying aspects related to the evidence-based classification of VI athletes in paratriathlon.…”

“…Aspects related to evidence-based classification have been studied in other VI sports 6–8 . To the best of our knowledge, performances of each VI class and sex in paratriathlon athletes have not yet been explored.…”