Resistive and propulsive forces in wheelchair racing: a brief review

Ricardo Silveira; Daniel A. Marinho; Catarina C. Santos; Tiago M. Barbosa; Eduarda Coelho; Jorge Morais; Pedro Forte; Ricardo Silveira; Daniel A. Marinho; Catarina C. Santos; Tiago M. Barbosa; Eduarda Coelho; Jorge Morais; Pedro Forte

doi:10.3934/biophy.2022004

AIMS Biophysics

2022, Volume 9, Issue 1: 42-55. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2022004

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Resistive and propulsive forces in wheelchair racing: a brief review

1.
Department of Sports, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro, 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
2.
Department of Sport and Physical Education, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
3.
Research Center for Sports Health and Human Development, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
4.
Department of Sports Sciences University of Beira Interior 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
5.
Department of Sports Sciences, Health and Exercise, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Edifício de Ciências do Desporto, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal

Received: 26 October 2021 Revised: 09 February 2022 Accepted: 20 February 2022 Published: 01 March 2022

Wheelchair racing is one of the most important sports in the Paralympics. The detailed analysis of all parameters is of great importance to achieve sporting excellence in this modality. In wheelchair racing, resistive and propulsive forces determine the movement of the athlete-wheelchair system. Most of propulsive forces are generated by the strength of individuals. As a result, strength levels play an important role in propelling the athlete-wheelchair system. Thus, the main objective of this study is to provide a set of methodologies to assess propulsive and resistive forces. The manuscript presents different methods and procedures, based on previous studies, that can be used for wheelchair racing athletes. Resistive forces in wheelchair racing can be evaluated by analytical procedures, experimental tests, and numerical simulations. Moreover, the strength of athletes' upper limbs to generate propulsion in wheelchair races can be assessed by dynamometry, one-repetition maximum, and medicine ball throw test. It may be that the tests presented may be useful to predict the strength and endurance of athletes' upper limbs. However, this competitive sport still presents a considerable gap in the Paralympics research. Currently, in Paralympic sport, evidence-based methodologies are lacking, making it an issue for athletes, coaches and researchers to support their work on scientific evidences.
- Paralympics,
- drag,
- rolling resistance,
- strength,
- performance
Citation: Ricardo Silveira, Daniel A. Marinho, Catarina C. Santos, Tiago M. Barbosa, Eduarda Coelho, Jorge Morais, Pedro Forte. Resistive and propulsive forces in wheelchair racing: a brief review[J]. AIMS Biophysics, 2022, 9(1): 42-55. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2022004

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Abstract

Wheelchair racing is one of the most important sports in the Paralympics. The detailed analysis of all parameters is of great importance to achieve sporting excellence in this modality. In wheelchair racing, resistive and propulsive forces determine the movement of the athlete-wheelchair system. Most of propulsive forces are generated by the strength of individuals. As a result, strength levels play an important role in propelling the athlete-wheelchair system. Thus, the main objective of this study is to provide a set of methodologies to assess propulsive and resistive forces. The manuscript presents different methods and procedures, based on previous studies, that can be used for wheelchair racing athletes. Resistive forces in wheelchair racing can be evaluated by analytical procedures, experimental tests, and numerical simulations. Moreover, the strength of athletes' upper limbs to generate propulsion in wheelchair races can be assessed by dynamometry, one-repetition maximum, and medicine ball throw test. It may be that the tests presented may be useful to predict the strength and endurance of athletes' upper limbs. However, this competitive sport still presents a considerable gap in the Paralympics research. Currently, in Paralympic sport, evidence-based methodologies are lacking, making it an issue for athletes, coaches and researchers to support their work on scientific evidences.

Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (project UIDB04045/2020) and The APC. It has been funded by the Research Center in Sports Health and Human Development, Covilhã, Portugal.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author contributions:

Conceptualization, R.S.; P.F.; E.C. and J.E.M..; methodology, P.F. and J.E.M.; validation, T.M.B, D.A.M; formal analysis, R.S., C.C.S P.F.; investigation, R.S. and P.F.; resources, D.A.M and T.M.B.; data curation, R.S. and P.F.; writing—original draft preparation, R.S. C.C.S. and P.F.; writing—review and editing, P.F., J.E.M., E.C., T.M.B; visualization, D.A.M, E.C. and J.E.M.; supervision, P.F., E.C. and J.E.M.; project administration, R.S. and P.F.; funding acquisition, D.A.M. and T.M.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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