The impact of limb deficiency impairment on Para swimming performance

Luke Hogarth; Carl Payton; Peter Van De Vliet; Brendan J Burkett

doi:10.1080/02640414.2020.1735983

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The impact of limb deficiency impairment on Para swimming performance

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The impact of limb deficiency impairment on Para swimming performance

Luke Hogarth, Carl Payton, Peter Van De Vliet and Brendan J Burkett

Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.38(8), pp.839-847

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1735983

PMID: 32138613

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

paralympic

artificial intelligence

evidence-based classification

para-sport

physical impairment

swimming classification

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

Swimmers with limb deficiency are a core population within Para Swimming, accordingly this study examined the contribution of limb segments to race performance in these swimmers. Data were obtained for 174 male Para swimmers with limb deficiency. Ensemble partial least squares regression showed accurate predictions when using relative limb segment lengths to estimate Para swimmers' personal best race performances. The contribution of limb segments to performance in swim events was estimated using these regression models. The analysis found swim stroke and event distance to influence the contributions of limb segments to performance. For freestyle swim events, these changes were primarily due to the increased importance of the hand, and decreased importance of the foot and shank, as the distance of the event increased. When comparing swim strokes, higher importance of the thigh and shank in the 100 m breaststroke compared with other swim strokes confirms the separate SB class. Varied contributions of the hand, upper arm and foot suggest that freestyle could also be separated from backstroke and butterfly events to promote fairer classification. This study shows that swim stroke and event distance influence the activity limitation of Para swimmers with limb deficiency suggesting classification should account for these factors.

Details

Title: The impact of limb deficiency impairment on Para swimming performance
Authors: Luke Hogarth (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport Sciences
Carl Payton (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Peter Van De Vliet (Author) - International Paralympic Committee, Germany
Brendan J Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sport Sciences
Publication details: Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.38(8), pp.839-847
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1735983
ISSN: 0264-0414
PMID: 32138613
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: 99451411202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences