Report

Thermal demands and mobility performance during international wheelchair rugby competition.

Differences in core temperature may not be related to athlete classification or physiological function, but with movement time per quarter.

Lead academic:
Erica Gavel
Additional academics:
M Lacroix, V Goosey-Tolfrey, H Logan-Sprenger
Funder:
Mitacs and Own the Podium.

Introduction:

Wheelchair rugby (WCR) is an intermittent contact sport whose demands of the game and activity profiles can be dependent upon athlete classification.

While WCR is competed indoors in a temperature-controlled gymnasium (18–20°C), it has been demonstrated in athletes with a cSCI and without a SCI, that exercising in thermoneutral environments may induce severe heat strain.

No study has characterized mobility performance and examined the influence these demands may have on core body temperature, thermo-perception, and peak speed during international WCR competition.

Study aim: To determine the thermoregulatory responses and mobility performance of wheelchair rugby (WCR) players during international competition.

Methods:

Eleven male National Team WCR players volunteered for the study. Testing occurred during a four-game series against international competition (temp 24.7 ± 0.7°C, relative humidity 50.1 ± 3.6%), with movement time (MT) and gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi) recorded continuously.

Each athlete's chair was equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to measure peak speed, real-time speed, and time spent in different speed zones. 

Main findings:

  • Mean movement time was 28.3 ± 8.5 min and did not significantly differ among classification.
  • Athletes spent most of their time at low speeds during the game.
  • There was a positive relationship between movement time and peak speed.
  • There were no significant differences among core body temperature and classification.
  • TS and TC did not change over the course of the game.
  • The mean maximal Tgidid not significantly differ among Low-Class, Mid-Class, and High-Class athletes.
  • There was a strong and significant relationship between minutes played per quarter of the game and change in Tgi.
  • Peak speeds obtained on-court were linked to overall movement time.

Reference:

Gavel EH, Lacroix MA, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Logan-Sprenger HM. Characterizing the Thermal Demands and Mobility Performance During International Wheelchair Rugby Competition. Front Rehabil Sci. 2022 Apr 29;3:856904. DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.856904. PMID: 36188931; PMCID: PMC9397831.

 

Image credit: © Paralympics GB