Paralympic Games and Adaptive Sports Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the history, development, classification, physiology, training, equipment, and biomechanics of the Paralympic Games and adaptive sports, based on the provided lecture notes. This includes definitions of key events, classification steps, types of impairments, wheelchair components, training principles, and biomechanical concepts.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann

Became Director at the Spinal Injuries Unit in Stoke Mandeville in 1944 and is considered the father of the Paralympic Games.

Stoke Mandeville Games

The first games held in 1948 on the same day as the London Olympics, featuring 16 competitors in archery.

International Stoke Mandeville Games

Began in 1952 with the inclusion of an official team from the Netherlands.

First Paralympic Games

Held in Rome in 1960, marking a milestone as they took place in the same city and venues as the Olympic Games.

First Winter Paralympics

Held in Innsbruck, Austria in 1984, with 377 athletes from 22 countries.

Why did the number of athletes able to compete cap off at around 4000?

due to lack of accessibility 

Paralympic Movement

Emphasizes sport as a tool for rehabilitation, ensuring the right to participate, viewing Paralympic sport as elite, exciting, and inspiring, key points focusing on rehabilitation, participation, and performance.

Classification in Sports for Athletes with Impairments

A system to minimize impact of impairments on competition, determine eligibility to compete, group athletes similarly to weight classes, and must be sport-specific.

3 steps of classification 

1. Eligible impairment check

2. Minimum disability criteria

3. Sport Class assignment

Eligible Impairment Check

The first step of classification to confirm if an athlete's impairment is recognized for the sport.

Minimum Disability Criteria

The second step of classification ensuring the impairment meets the sport's defined minimum disability standards.

Sport Class Assignment

The third step of classification to determine the appropriate sport class reflecting the athlete's activity limitations.

Impaired Muscle Power

Permanently reduced force generation

Limb Deficiency

An eligible impairment involving the absence of bones, total or partial.

Hypertonia

An eligible impairment defined by increased muscle tension.

Ataxia

An eligible impairment characterized by coordination issues.

Athetosis

An eligible impairment involving involuntary movments

Vision Impairment

An eligible impairment where vision is affected, classified in Para Athletics as T/F 11-13.

Intellectual Impairment

An eligible impairment involving limitations in cognitive functioning, classified in Para Athletics as T/F 20.

True or false: a lack of eligibility negates the existence if a genuine impairment

false

Sport Class

Categories for athletes with similar activity limitations, varying by sport, and not necessarily by identical impairments.

• some sports have a single class while others can have numerous classes due to the nature of the sport.

Para atheltics classification examples

T means track athlete - F means field athlete

• T/F 11-13 : visual impairments

• T/F 20 : intellectual impairments

• T/F 32-38 : coordination impairments, hypertonic, ataxia. Athetosis

• T/F 40-41: short stature

• T/F 42-44: lower limb impairment without prosthesis

• T/F 45-47: upper limb impairment

• T/F 51-57: limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or range of movement

• T/F 61-64: lower limb defic8ency with prosthesis

• T/F 71-72: hypertonic, ataxia, athetosis in race running

Athlete Evaluation

Conducted by a Classification Panel prior to and during competitions, consisting of two to three classifiers, with reviews possible if conditions change.

• confirmed athletes do not require reclassification

wheelchair componants 

Frame, weight, strength 

Wheelchair Frame

The primary structure of a wheelchair, influencing its weight and strength.

Why is the weight of the wheelchair important 

for mobility and maneuverability 

Key features of wheelchair

backrest, cushion, wheels

pressure distribution

critical for preventing pressure sores

Casters

casters are smaller wheels that assist with maneuverability

 

Camber

The angle of wheelchair wheels that can enhance handling, especially in sports like wheelchair tennis.

Axle Position

A key adjustable feature of a wheelchair that determines its balance and weight distribution.

Anti-Tippers

Components of a wheelchair that prevent it from tipping over.

Wheelchair Rugby (wheelchair applications)

A sport with specialized wheelchair designs featuring plated spokes and a lower height for the center of mass for aggressive play.

Hand-Cycling (wheelchair applications)

An alternative propulsion method in para-sport, often involving a laying down position.

General physiology and training philosophy for para athletes

• training programs should apply the same fundamental principles as for able bodied athletes 

• Wheelchair athletes rely on upper body function for performance 

• Functionality ability is determined by the level of spinal cord injury 

• SCI determines which muscles are functional and how much SNS activity is available

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

A condition whose level determines an athlete's functional ability, muscle function, and amount of available sympathetic nervous system activity.

Heart rate facts

The nerves that allow heart rate to increase are between the levels T1-T4. Athletes with injuries above T4 are less able to raise HR to same level as able bodied athletes.

• tetraplegic athletes often have HR that dont exceed the natural rythym of about 100bpm

Stroke volume

amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat

-increasing SV is key to improving cardiovascular capacity

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood ejected from the heart within one minute, calculated as Stroke Volume multiplied by Heart Rate.

Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max)

The point at which the body utilizes the maximum amount of oxygen, with higher intensities not increasing uptake further.

Aerobic power output is determined by what 

muscle mass involved, cardiac output and amount of oxygen that can be used 

The zone of exercise intensity above aerobic capacity defines what?

anaerobic work

Blood Lactate

A component that increases as a result of anaerobic exercise.

Cardio-Respiratory Fitness

The body's ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and remove waste products over sustained periods and a componant of fitness

Muscle strength 

componant of fitness and the ability to exert force for a brief period of time

Muscular endurance

componant of fitness - ability of muscles to sustain repeated contractions or continue applying force to a fixed object

Flexibity and body composition

the 2 other componants of fitness

Why monitor intensity ?

to optimize adaptations and prevent overtraining

Methods to monitor training intensity 

blood lactate measurements

VO2 max measurements

HR monitoring

RPE

Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

A subjective measure used to monitor training intensity based on an individual's perception of effort.

General Preparation Training

A training phase aiming to train general muscle groups and prepare the body for higher intensity, typically with low intensity and longer durations.

• methods include: cross training, ROM training, High volume/low weight

Specific Phase Training

A training phase focused on sport-specific activities, applying the Overload Principle with high intensity.

Pre competition training

training strategy focusing on specific training, with high intensity/low volume with aspects including psychological training and pre competitions

Competition training

focus is highly specific, recovery and competition itself. Goal is to peak for major completion. Methods include power training, psychological training and optimal nutrition intake 

Continues Training (Aerobic)

Aerobic training method at 60%-70% intensity, with no stopping, lasting 45 to 120 minutes.

Varied threshold pace training 

Aerobic training method : 75-85% intensity, continuous with pace changes, 20 to 60 minutes

Interval threshold training (aerobic)

80-90% intensity, multip;e segments with short rest, intervals of 30s to 6 mins

Short intervals (anaerobic training)

high speed training, max 10s with atleast 3 minutes rest

Lactic Training (Anaerobic)

Anaerobic training method at 90%-95% intensity, with intervals of 15s to 45s and 3min to 6min rest.

Acceleration training (anaerobic)

Sprints from 20m to 40m, 3 mins rest

Over speed training (anaerobic)

slight downhill/tailwind, max or above max speed for 15 s, minimum 3 mins rest 

Needs Analyses (Strength Training)

A thorough assessment for strength training programs focusing on an individual's health, injury prevention, base-work, and performance enhancement.

Key factors influencing exercise selection 

includes posture, functional adaptations, sport demands, access to equipment, physiological adaptations

Functional Adaptations

A principle of exercise selection where movements mimic real-life or sport-specific actions to promote functional strength.

Injury prevention 

common ares of focus include muscle imbalances, shoulder impingement, wrists, neck

Warm-Up

An essential pre-training activity to prepare the body, typically including increasing heart and breathing rate, dynamic/passive stretching, and sport-specific skills rehearsal.

Preparation Phase (Strength Training)

A foundational phase building a base for more intensive training, involving low weights (50%-65% 1RM), progressive higher volume (gradually increase work performed over time), and 12-15 repetitions per set.

• adaption period usually lasts for 6-12 weeks

Power Development (Strength Training)

A training phase following preparation, focusing on generating force rapidly, characterized by medium repetitions (4-8) and medium weights (70%-85% 1RM).

-adaption period usually lasts for 4-6 weeks 

Maximum Strength (Strength Training)

A high-intensity training phase to maximize absolute strength, using low repetitions (1-5) and heavy weights (85%-100% 1RM).

-adaption period lasts around 4 weeks 

Upper Limb Biomechanics

Studies involving contact phases and recovery phases, various angles (contact, release), and vectors (SD, TR, UA, FA, HD, UR) to understand arm movement.

SD - left/right shoulder

TR - mid shoulder to trunk 

UA - upper arm

FA - forearm

HD - hand

UR - Vector product of ST and FA

Purpose of Biomechanics Studies

To enhance performance, reduce injuries, and aid in athlete classification.

Ambulatory Athletes 

jumping: approach, takeoff, flight, landing

Running: unilateral/bilateral., energy return, lever lengths

Wheelchair Propulsion Technique Parameters

Involves push phase and recovery phase, along with specific angles such as Start Angle (SA), End Angle (EA), and Push Angle (PA), and contact points: hand contact (HC), hand release (HR) points.

Force direction and joint torques

key relationship: between force direction (effective vs actual) and calculated net joint torques around shoulder and elbow 

Wheelchair Racing Propulsion Technique Phases

1 to 2 - acceleration phase

2 - impact energy transfer phase

3 - drive phase

4- rotation force production phase

5 - disengagement phase

5 to 1 - back swing

Seat position influences what in wheelchair configuration

influences push angle orientation

Ex: SA from -42.5exto to +28.8exto

Major fuel for muscles 

Carbohydrates - wheelchair athletes may require 50% less than able-bodied counterparts 

Protein

Essential for muscle development, intake often extends suggestions

• reduced need for wheelchair athletes

• Ideal intake is post excercise 

Fluid intake 

Should be personalized for wheelchair athletes to avoid acute issues such as autonomic dysreflexia.

Minerals and vitamins

requirmnets similar to non disabled athletes, ensure adequate in take consistent with general nutritional principles

Assessment methods for body composition

underwater weighing : measures body desire using archimedes principle

Air displacement: measures body volume based on air displacemnt, calculates body density and fat percentage

Bioelectric impendence Analysis : differentiates muscle and fat based on electrical conductivity

Skinfold measurment : assesses skin thickness at specified sites to estimate bf %