Bartosz Molik

Relationship Between Functional Classification Levels and Anaerobic Performance of Wheelchair Basketball Athletes

Abstract Wheelchair basketball athletes are classified using the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) functional classification system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between upper extremity anaerobic performance (AnP) and all functional classification levels in wheelchair basketball. Ninety-seven male athletes from the Polish and Lithuanian national wheelchair basketball leagues took part in this study. The Wingate Anaerobic Test was used to assess four AnP indexes with an arm crank ergometer. The level of AnP in wheelchair basketball athletes depends to some degree on classification level. No significant differences were found for the AnP indexes across levels 1.0–2.5 and 3.0–4.5. However, the AnP level for those in classes 1.0–2.5 was significantly lower than those in classes 3.0–4.5. The findings from this study provided some evidence that the IWBF functional classification system should be reexamined and that a consolidation of the current eight levels might be in order.

Aerobic, Anaerobic, and Skill Performance with Regard to Classification in Wheelchair Rugby Athletes.

The purpose of the study was to examine the sport-specific performance of wheelchair rugby players with regard to their classification. A group of 30 male athletes from the Polish Wheelchair Rugby League participated in the study. The seven International Wheelchair Rugby Federation classes were collapsed into four groups. Standardized measures of aerobic, anaerobic, and skill performance were examined to identify performance differences among the four groups. Major findings were that most differences were between Group I players and all others and that anaerobic performance was the most sensitive to classification differences. Another important finding was that for all other groups, with one exception, adjacent groups did not differ in anaerobic, aerobic, and sport-specific skill performance. The results of this study demonstrate the need to investigate other performance measures that will help in evaluating the current wheelchair rugby classification system.

Performance analysis of elite men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to identify which game-related statistics discriminate winning and losing teams in men’s and women’s elite wheelchair basketball. The sample comprised all the games played during the Beijing Paralympics 2008 and the World Wheelchair Basketball Championship 2010. The game-related statistics from the official box scores were gathered and data were analysed in 2 groups: balanced games (final score differences ≤12 points) and unbalanced games (final score differences >13 points). Discriminant analysis allowed identifying the successful 2-point field-goals and free-throws, the unsuccessful 3-point field-goals and free-throws, the assists and fouls received as discriminant statistics between winning and losing teams in men’s balanced games. In women’s games, the teams were discriminated only by the successful 2-point field-goals. Linear regression analysis showed that the quality of opposition had great effects in final point differential. The field-goals percentage and free-throws rate were the most important factors in men’s games, and field-goals percentage and offensive rebounding percentage in women’s games. The identified trends allow improving game understanding and helping wheelchair basketball coaches to plan accurate practice sessions and, ultimately, deciding better in competition.

Game performance in ice sledge hockey: an exploratory examination into type of disability and anthropometric parameters.

ObjectiveTo compare first disability and anthropometric variables and second disability and game efficiency measures. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingWinter Paralympic Games in Vancouver (2010). ParticipantsA sample of 54 (age, 30.85 ± 7.99 y) of the 114 elite ice sledge hockey athletes participated in this study. To be included in the analysis, an athlete had to participate for a minimum of 45 minutes in total and in a minimum of 2 games during the tournament. Assessment of Risk FactorsAthletes were categorized according to type of disability into 4 groups: group 1 (double amputee above and below the knee), group 2 (single amputee above and below the knee), group 3 (spinal cord injury), and group 4 (other physical disabilities, including phocomelia, cerebral palsy, sclerosis multiplex, and lower limb paresis, and players with minimal disability). Before the tournament, athletes completed a Personal Questionnaire Form. Data including anthropometric measurements (seated position and range of arms) and length of the sledge were also collected. Main Outcome MeasuresAll 20 scheduled games were videotaped using 3 video cameras. The games were analyzed after the tournament by 5 observers. All observations were recorded using the Game Efficiency Sheet for Ice Sledge Hockey developed by the authors. Fourteen game parameters were included for analysis. ResultsThe instrument was developed specifically for this projects exploratory analysis. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability were established by statistical analysis (r > 0.93 and r > 0.95, respectively). Significant differences between disability groups were found for training frequency (F3,50 = 4.73, P = 0.006), height (F3,50 = 12.54, P = 0.001), and sledge length (F3,50 = 12.35, P = 0.001). The results of the Tukey honestly significant difference post hoc analyses revealed significant differences between groups 1 and 4 (P = 0.026), 2 and 4 (P = 0.007), and 3 and 4 (P = 0.013) for training frequency. There were also significant differences between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001), 1 and 4 (P < 0.001), and 2 and 4 (P = 0.021) for body height. In sledge length, significant differences were observed between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001), 1 and 3 (P < 0.001), 1 and 4 (P = 0.016), and 2 and 4 (P = 0.028). There was no strong evidence to support disability group differences in game efficiency measures. ConclusionsThe results may confirm the lack of a need for additional classification in sledge hockey beyond minimum eligibility or may enhance the argument that a classification system may be needed because the lower functioning disabilities are not being represented in the sport.

Performance analysis of elite women’s wheelchair basketball players according to team-strength, playing-time and players’ classification

The aim of the study was to analyze the game-related statistics that best differentiate the performance of women’s wheelchair basketball players according to team strength, playing time and players’ classification. Thirty-three games from the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships (2010) were analyzed for this purpose. The official game-related statistics were studied (FIBA box-scores). Team strength (stronger and weaker teams), playing time (important and less important players), and player class (1, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 classes) were used as independent variables. The results from MANOVA showed greater differences between low and high point players for most of the game-related statistics. The stronger teams had better values in assists, turnovers, fouls received and successful free-throws. Playing time was significant for all the game-related statistics with the exception of blocks and successful 3-point field-goals. The main interactive effects were identified between team strength and class for defensive rebounds, assists, successful 2-points field-goals, and unsuccessful 3-point field-goals; between class and playing time for defensive rebounds, blocks, fouls on, successful free-throws and unsuccessful 2-point field-goals; between team strength and playing time only for steals; and between class, team strength and playing time for defensive rebounds and unsuccessful 3-point field-goal attempt.

Balance Functional Assessment in People with Visual Impairment.

Abstract The aims of this study were twofold: to assess the level of balance of people with visual impairment against the BOT-2 standard scores for the able-bodied, and to identify in which trials subjects had the greatest difficulties in maintaining balance with respect to the degree of vision loss and age categories. One hundred twenty-seven subjects with visual impairment aged 6-16 years, participated in the study (68 girls and 59 boys). The division for partially sighted people (61) and the blind (66) was made according to the WHO classification. Functional balance assessment was made using a balance subtest from the Bruininks-Oseretsky test. Significant relationships were noticed between age and the level of balance (χ2 = 8.35 p <0,05), as well as between the degree of vision loss and the level of balance (χ2 = 24.53 p <0,001). The level of balance of almost all blind subjects was below (20%) or well-below (60%) the average for the able-bodied. The subjects’ ability to maintain balance was not dependent on gender and was associated primarily with the degree of visual impairment and age. Partially sighted people had better balance than the blind and the decrease in visual acuity resulted in reduction of balance skills. The lowest level of balance was observed in blind students aged 7-11 years. Elaborating physical fitness improvement programs for children and adolescents with visual impairment, diversity of age, the degree of vision loss and limitations of ablility to maintain balance should be taken into account.

Relationships Between Anaerobic Performance, Field Tests and Game Performance of Sitting Volleyball Players

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate relationships between anaerobic performance, field tests, game performance and anthropometric variables of sitting volleyball players. Twenty elite Polish sitting volleyball players were tested using the 30 s Wingate Anaerobic Test for arm crank ergometer and participated in six physical field tests. Heights in position to block and to spike, as well as arm reach were measured. Players were observed during the game on the court in terms of effectiveness of the serve, block, attack, receive and defense. Pearson analysis and the Spearmans rank correlation coefficient were used. The strongest correlations were found between the chest pass test and mean power and peak power (r=.846; p=.001 and r=.708; p=.0005, respectively), and also between the T-test and peak power (r= −.718; p=.001). Mean power correlated with the 3 m test (r= −.540; p=.014), the 5 m test (r= −.592; p=.006), and the T-test (r= −.582; p=.007). Peak power correlated with the 3 m test (r= −.632; p=.003), the 5 m test (r= −.613; p=.004), speed & agility (r= −.552; p=.012) and speed & endurance (r=−.546; p=.013). Significant correlations were observed between anthropometric parameters and anaerobic performance variables (p≤.001), and also between anthropometric parameters and field tests (p≤.05). Game performance and physical fitness of sitting volleyball players depended on their anthropometric variables: reach of arms, the position to block and to spike. The chest pass test could be used as a non-laboratory field test of anaerobic performance of sitting volleyball players.

Game Performance Evaluation in Male Goalball Players

Abstract Goalball is a Paralympic sport exclusively for athletes who are visually impaired and blind. The aims of this study were twofold: to describe game performance of elite male goalball players based upon the degree of visual impairment, and to determine if game performance was related to anthropometric characteristics of elite male goalball players. The study sample consisted of 44 male goalball athletes. A total of 38 games were recorded during the Summer Paralympic Games in London 2012. Observations were reported using the Game Efficiency Sheet for Goalball. Additional anthropometric measurements included body mass (kg), body height (cm), the arm span (cm) and length of the body in the defensive position (cm). The results differentiating both groups showed that the players with total blindness obtained higher means than the players with visual impairment for game indicators such as the sum of defense (p = 0.03) and the sum of good defense (p = 0.04). The players with visual impairment obtained higher results than those with total blindness for attack efficiency (p = 0.04), the sum of penalty defenses (p = 0.01), and fouls (p = 0.01). The study showed that athletes with blindness demonstrated higher game performance in defence. However, athletes with visual impairment presented higher efficiency in offensive actions. The analyses confirmed that body mass, body height, the arm span and length of the body in the defensive position did not differentiate players’ performance at the elite level.

Game efficiency of elite male sitting volleyball players with regard to athletes’ physical impairment

The aim of this study was to illustrate differences in game efficiency in sitting volleyball of male and female elite athletes in terms of players’ impairment. Game analysis was conducted during World Championships in Sitting Volleyball in 2014. Modified Game Performance Sheet for Sitting Volleyball was used to assess players’ actions: attack, serve, block, block of serve, defense, and ball receiving. Coleman’s formulas were counted to obtain game efficiency of athletes. In statistics, Kruskal–Wallis test and Bonferroni correction were used (p value was set equal .005 and .003, respectively, in male and female group). 128 male and 91 female sitting volleyball athletes were included into this study. They were divided into groups in terms of impairment. There were no statistically significant differences in anthropometric parameters in male and female groups of players. Also, there were not statistically significant differences in game efficiency between players with different impairments in male as well as in female groups. This study did not confirm the current classification system in sitting volleyball (division into minimal disabled and disabled athletes). There is a need to continue research and find more evidences to substantiate or to change the current classification procedures in classification system in sitting volleyball.

Game performance differences between winning and losing sitting volleyball teams regarding teams’ ability

ABSTRACT Performance analysis research has tried to find those factors that best differentiate winning and losing teams in sport. However, the available research done within disabled sport is scarce. Then, the purpose of this study was to differentiate winning and losing teams of elite sitting volleyball games according to teams’ ranking (best/worst teams). All the matches played by the sitting volleyball men’s teams (n = 16) during the World Sitting Volleyball Championships in 2014, were analysed 168 sets (50 matches). The indicators analysed were: attack, serve, block, block of serve, defence (overhead, forearm, others), and ball receiving (overhead, forearm, others). Game analyses were described by Modified Game Performance Sheet for Sitting Volleyball. The binomial logistic regression was used to differentiate winning and losing teams. The results showed that effectiveness of attack is the main factor that characterized winning teams. Effectiveness of attack and block as well as the number of all attempts of attack and serve increases the probability of winning the set in these games between best (first eight teams) and worst teams (last eight teams). The current findings allow coaches to better control and prepare competitions focusing on improving attack, serve and reception.