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Journal article
Active Drag as a Criterion for Evidence-based Classification in Para Swimming
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol.52(7), pp.1576-1584
2020
Abstract
Introduction: Paralympic classification should provide athletes with an equitable starting point for competition by minimising the impact their impairment has on the outcome of the event. As swimming is an event conducted in water, the ability to overcome drag (active and passive) is an important performance determinant. It is plausible that the ability to do this is affected by type and severity of physical impairment, but the current World Para Swimming classification system does not objectively account for this component. The aim of this study was to quantify active and passive drag in Para swimmers and evaluate the strength of association between these measures and type of physical impairment, swimming performance and sport class. Methods: Seventy-two highly-trained Para swimmers from sport classes S1 to S10 and fourteen highly-trained non-disabled swimmers were towed by a motorised winch whilst the towing force was recorded. Passive drag was measured with the arms held by the side; active drag was determined during freestyle swimming using an assisted towing method. Results: Active and passive drag were higher in Para swimmers with central motor and neuromuscular impairments than for non-disabled swimmers and were associated with severity of swim-specific impairment (sport class) and maximal freestyle performance in these swimmers (r = -.40 to -.50, p ≤ .02). Para swimmers with anthropometric impairments showed similar active and passive drag to non-disabled swimmers, and between swimmers from different sport classes. Conclusion: Para swimmers with central motor and neuromuscular impairments are predisposed to high active drag during freestyle swimming that impacts on their performance. It is recommended that drag measures be considered in revised classification for these swimmers, but not for those with anthropometric impairments.
Details
- Title
- Active Drag as a Criterion for Evidence-based Classification in Para Swimming
- Authors
- Carl Payton (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan University, United KingdomLuke Hogarth (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport SciencesBrendan J Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport SciencesPeter Van de Vliet (Author) - International Paralympic Committee, GermanySandra Lewis (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan University, United KingdomYim-Taek Oh (Author) - Loughborough University, United Kingdom
- Publication details
- Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol.52(7), pp.1576-1584
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002281
- ISSN
- 0195-9131
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.on behalf of the American College of Sports Medicine. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451328002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Sport Sciences