Influence of Performance Variables Varies across Classification in Wheelchair Rugby Players with Tetraplegia

Abstract

Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced team sport played on an indoor hardwood court, first included as a full medal event at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. To create fair and equitable competition, wheelchair rugby uses a classification system consisting of seven classes ranging from 0.5 to 3.5; the higher the class, the higher the functional ability of the athlete. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between objective performance variables and subjective coach rankings in wheelchair rugby. METHODS: Aerobic power [i.e., VO2Peak (ml/kg/min), relative peak watts (W/kg)], anaerobic performance (i.e., relative mean power output, relative peak power output, rate to fatigue) and subjective coach evaluations (e.g., speed, endurance, defense, agility/chair skills, communication, coachability, team work, role play) were collected on 14 male and 1 female national wheelchair rugby players (MAge = 29.5 ± 5.2 yrs; MWeight = 72.69 ± 16.66 kg; MHeight = 180.93 ± 10.74 cm; MVO2Peak = 1.37 ± 0.35 L*min-1; Yrs playing rugby = 7.53 ± 3.72; Yrs since injury = 11.92 ± 7.15). IRB approval and participant consent were collected prior to the study. Spearman rho was used to examine relationships between performance variables and coach evaluation; correlations were examined between high point players (class > 2.0) and low point players (≤ 2.0). RESULTS: Weak relationships existed between coach evaluation and VO2Peak expressed as L*min-1 (-.04), peak watts (-.12), mean anaerobic power output (-.06), peak anaerobic power output (-.10) and rate of fatigue (-.37). However, when examined by classification groupings (high, low), strong relationships existed between coach evaluation and VO2Peak (1.00), relative watts (1.00), mean anaerobic power output (-.50), peak anaerobic power (.50), and fatigue (.50) for high point players. Weak relationships existed between coach evaluation and VO2Peak (-.08), peak watts (.06), mean anaerobic power (.01), peak anaerobic power (-.19), and rate of fatigue (-.46) for low point players. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that performance variables, specifically peak aerobic and anaerobic capacities, are related to coach evaluations predominantly in high point wheelchair rugby players. Practical findings suggest that training should be distinct for these two groups.