Article

Purpose To investigate the relationship between the classification systems used
in wheelchair sports and cardiovascular function in Paralympic athletes with
spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods - 26 wheelchair rugby (C3-C8)
and 14 wheelchair
basketball (T3-L1) were assessed for their International Wheelchair Rugby and
Basketball Federation sports classification. Next, athletes were assessed for
resting and reflex cardiovascular and autonomic function via the change (delta)
in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) in response to sit-up, and
sympathetic skin responses (SSRs), respectively. Results There were no
differences in supine, seated, or delta SBP and HR between different sport
classes in rugby or basketball (all p > 0.23). Athletes with autonomically
complete injuries (SSR score 0-1) exhibited a lower supine SBP, seated SBP and
delta SBP compared to those with autonomically incomplete injuries (SSR score >1;
all p < 0.010), independent of sport played. There was no association between
self-report OH and measured OH (chi2 = 1.63, p = 0.20). Conclusion We provide
definitive evidence that sports specific classification is not related to the
degree of remaining autonomic cardiovascular control in Paralympic athletes with
SCI. We suggest that testing for remaining autonomic function, which is closely
related to the degree of cardiovascular control, should be incorporated into
sporting classification. Implications for Rehabilitation Spinal cord injury is a
debilitating condition that affects the function of almost every physiological
system. It is becoming increasingly apparent that spinal cord injury induced
changes in autonomic and cardiovascular function are important determinants of
sports performance in athletes with spinal cord injury.
This study shows that the
current sports classification systems used in wheelchair rugby and basketball do
not accurately reflect autonomic and cardiovascular function and thus are placing
some athletes at a distinct disadvantage/advantage within their respective sport.

Langue : ANGLAIS