Conference: The Science of Wheelchair Rugby

  • 22 September 2021
  • 13:00-18:30 BST
  • Online

The Inaugural World Wheelchair Rugby Sports Science and Sports Medicine Conference 2021 in partnership with the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ) – will bring together practitioners, coaches, medical staff and students interested in sports science, medicine, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning and coaching.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ this event: This virtual event will cover the historical insights in sports science and medicine by experts from the world of wheelchair rugby covering topics on: classification, thermoregulation, autonomic dysreflexia, shoulder health, nutrition and much more, which will provide a platform for future study.

The event is delivered by:

  • Prof Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey, Director of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC), º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, and IPC Paralympic Scientific Award recipient 2017
  • Dr Viola Altman, one of the most experienced WWR Classifiers in the sport and Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Rehabilitation at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
  • Steve Griffiths, WWR CEO
  • Dr Ken Lee, WWR Chief Medical Officer and Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA)
  • Supported by Dr Sven Hoekstra, Research Assistant of the PHC at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.

Programme:

Time Session
13:00 – 13:15

Introduction

Richard Allcroft – President of World Wheelchair Rugby

Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey – The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ (UK)

13:15 – 14:00

CLASSIFICATION AND SCIENCE (SPORT)

Chairperson Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey

13:15 – 13:45

Classification in wheelchair rugby (on-demand video)

Viola Altmann – Rehabilitation Medical Center Groot Klimmendaal (NL)

13:45 – 14:00 

Effects of trunk muscle activation in wheelchair rugby players with a spinal cord injury

Ingrid Kouwijzer – Faculty of Health, Nutrition and Sport; The Hague University of Applied Sciences (NL)

14:00 – 15:00

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY PERFORMANCE (SPORT)

Chairperson Sven Hoekstra (The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ (UK)) 

14:00 – 14:15 

Field testing for wheelchair rugby

Sonja de Groot – Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center Reade and Department of Human Movement Sciences; VU University (NL)

14:15 – 14:30

Sprint performance and asymmetries in wheelchair rugby

Riemer Vegter – Center for Human Movement Sciences; University of Groningen (NL) and The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ (UK)

14:30 – 14:45

From research subject to athlete; the need for individual sport performance support 

Rienk van de Slikke – The Hague University of Applied Sciences / PHCDS (NL) and The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ (UK)

  BREAK 
15:30 – 17:30 

PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH (MEDICINE)

Chairperson Ken Lee (International Wheelchair Rugby Federation)

15:30 – 15:50 

Cardiovascular determinants of performance in athletes with tetraplegia

Cameron Gee – ICORD and Department of Orthopaedics; University of British Columbia, and Athletics Canada (CAN)

15:50 – 16:05 

Just try it! - Respiratory muscle training for wheelchair rugby players

Claudio Perret – Institute of Sports Medicine; Swiss Paraplegic Centre (CH)

16:05 – 16:35 

Keeping your cool - Heat related issues and practical applications for wheelchair rugby players

Katy Griggs – Department of Engineering; Nottingham Trent University (UK)

16:35 – 17:05 

Nutritional considerations for wheelchair rugby

Joelle Flueck – Institute of Sports Medicine; Swiss Paraplegic Centre (CH)

17:05 – 17:35 

Shoulder tendon health in wheelchair rugby athletes 

Fransiska Bossuyt – Human Performance Lab; University of Calgary (CAN) and Shoulder Health and Mobility Group; Swiss Paraplegic Research (CH) 

17:45 – 18:15

PANEL DISCUSSION

Chairperson Viola Altman

17:45 -18:15

Wrap up and discussion about future research needs

Jens Sauerbier (national player team Germany, sports scientist & WWR athlete representative)/ Viola Altman

 18:15 Ken Lee and Vicky Tolfrey – Close
Visit the event website for further details

Contact and booking details

Booking required?
Yes
Booking information
To book your place, please visit the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport website. A Zoom invite will be sent by email on the evening prior to the event.