Report

Towards a sport-specific evidence-based classification system for Para Va'a.

Athletes with full trunk function and either unilateral or bilateral leg impairment may be able to compete in the same class for Para Va’a.

Lead academic:
Dr Johanna S Rosen
Additional academics:
Dr Barry Mason, Dr Michael Hutchinson
Funder:
The International Canoe Federation (ICF), The Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports (CIF), UK Sport and the Peter Harrison Foundation.

Introduction:

Va’a paddling is a canoeing sport performed in a Polynesian out-rigger canoe propelled by a single blade paddle on flat- or open-water.

From an able-bodied perspective two paddling styles have been identified: 1) using a greater trunk flexion/extension range of motion (ROM) and a longer stroke or 2) having more trunk rotation and a shorter stroke.

It is, however, unknown how an impairment affects this role. Examining the ROM of the arms, trunk, and legs during paddling and how impairments affect these movements and the paddling force, will assist in developing a theoretical model of the determinants of sport performance for Para Va’a.

Study aims:

1) To examine joint angles, stroke frequency and paddling force in able-bodied and Para Va’a athletes during high intensity Va’a ergometer paddling and to determine whether differences exist based on functional capacity.

2) To determine the relationship between joint angles and paddling force of able-bodied and Para Va’a athletes.

Methods:

Ten able-bodied and 44 Para Va'a athletes with impairments affecting: trunk and legs (TL), legs bilaterally (BL) or leg unilaterally (UL) participated.

The Va’a paddling was performed on either a D1-M Kayak ProVa’a ergometer or a Concept 2 ergometer with an adaptation for Va’a paddling.

Three-dimensional kinematic data were recorded using a 12-camera optoelectronic system. Differences in stroke frequency, mean paddling force, and joint angles and correlation of the joint angles with paddling force were examined.

Main findings:

  • Less impaired para-athletes and able-bodied athletes demonstrated larger paddling forces and joint ROM in trunk flexion max and min and bottom hand side hip, knee, and ankle flexion.
  • The able-bodied athletes exhibited larger joint ROM in top hand side knee and ankle flexion compared to the para-athletes.
  • Trunk flexion max, min and ROM, trunk rotation and trunk and pelvis rotation at catch and ROM, and top hand side hip flexion ROM and bottom hand side hip, knee and ankle flexion ROM were significantly positively correlated with mean paddling force for both males and females.
  • The abilities to sit in a forward leaning position with the trunk, to rotate the trunk and pelvis and to move the leg of the bottom hand side of the paddle seem to be key kinematic factors during Va’a paddling.
  • Athletes with full trunk function and either unilateral or bilateral leg impairment produced similar mean paddling force, which indicates that these athletes could possibly compete in the same class.

Reference:

Rosén JS, Arndt A, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Mason BS, Hutchinson MJ, Tarassova O, Bjerkefors A. The impact of impairment on kinematic and kinetic variables in Va'a paddling: Towards a sport-specific evidence-based classification system for Para Va'a. J Sports Sci. 2019 Sep;37(17):1942-1950. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1606763. 

 

Image credit: © Paralympics GB