Journal article
Maximal Fully Tethered Swim Performance in Para Swimmers With Physical Impairment
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Vol.15(6), pp.816-824
2020
Abstract
The assessment of swimming propulsion should be a cornerstone of Paralympic swimming classification. However, current methods do not objectively account for this component. Purpose: To evaluate the swimming propulsion of swimmers with and without physical impairment using a 30-second maximal fully tethered freestyle swim test. Methods: Tethered forces were recorded during maximal fully tethered swimming in 80 competitive swimmers with (n = 70) and without (n = 10) physical impairment. The relationships between absolute and normalized tether forces and maximal freestyle swim speed were established using general additive models. Results: Para swimmers with physical impairment had lower absolute and normalized tether forces than able-bodied swimmers, and there were moderate positive correlations found between tether forces and sport class (τ = .52–.55, P < .001). There was a nonlinear relationship between tether force and maximal freestyle swim speed in the participant cohort (adjusted R2 = .78–.80, P < .001). Para swimmers with limb deficiency showed stronger relationships between tether force and maximal freestyle swim speed (adjusted R2 = .78–.82, P < .001) than did Para swimmers with hypertonia (adjusted R2 = .54–.73, P < .001) and impaired muscle power (adjusted R2 = .61–.70, P < .001). Conclusions: Physical impairments affect Para swimmers’ tether forces during maximal fully tethered freestyle swimming, explaining a significant proportion of their activity limitation. It is recommended that maximal fully tethered swimming be included in Paralympic swimming classification as an objective assessment of swimming propulsion.
Details
- Title
- Maximal Fully Tethered Swim Performance in Para Swimmers With Physical Impairment
- Authors
- Luke Hogarth (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Sport Sciences - LegacyBrendan Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, High Performance Sport - LegacyPeter Van de Vliet (Author) - International Paralympic CommitteeCarl Payton (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan University
- Publication details
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Vol.15(6), pp.816-824
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0515
- ISSN
- 1555-0273; 1555-0265
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2020 Human Kinetics. Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2020, 15(6): 816-824, https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0515
- Organisation Unit
- High Performance Sport - Legacy; 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
- 99469907602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Physiology
- Sport Sciences