1. J Sports Sci. 2021 Aug;39(sup1):40-61. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1815957.
Epub
2020 Sep 10.
Measures of impairment applicable to the classification of Paralympic athletes
competing in wheelchair sports: A systematic review of validity, reliability and
associations with performance.
Hutchinson MJ(1), Phillips JK(2), Mason BS(1), Goosey-Tolfrey VL(1), Beckman
EM(2).
Author information:
(1)Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and
Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
(2)School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland,
Brisbane, Australia.
A fundamental aspect of classification systems in Paralympic sport is having
valid and reliable measures of impairment. However, minimal consensus exists for
assessing impaired strength, coordination and range of motion. This review aimed
to systematically identify measures of upper body strength, coordination and
range of motion impairments that meet the requirements for use in evidence-based
classification systems in wheelchair sports. Three electronic databases were
searched from 2003 until 31 August 2019 for studies that assessed upper body
function of participants and used a measurement tool that assessed strength,
coordination or range of motion. The body of evidence for each identified
measure was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,
Development and Evaluation framework. Twenty-three studies were included: ten
measured strength and coordination, and six measured range of motion. There was
"moderate" confidence in using isometric strength for assessing strength
impairment. Tapping tasks for the assessment of coordination impairment received
a "low" confidence rating. All other identified measures of coordination and
range of motion impairment received a "very low" confidence rating. Several
potential measures were identified for assessing upper body strength,
coordination and range of motion impairments. Further research is warranted to
investigate their use for classification in Paralympic wheelchair sports.
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1815957
PMID: 32912039 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
