Goalball Players Research Articles

Quantifying Trunk Impact Dynamics and Workload with Inertial Sensors in Goalball Players

The aim of this study was to quantify trunk impact dynamics in goalball players using inertial sensors and evaluate the goalball players’ workloads, focusing on changes between the first and second halves of a match to enhance understanding of the demands experienced throughout the game. Utilizing inertial technology, trunk impacts during goalball gameplay were analyzed to provide a holistic insight into how these impacts influence athletes’ dynamic stress loads, which refers to the physical demands placed on the body during dynamic movements. Six goalball players were recruited to wear an accelerometer during a whole goalball game to quantify trunk impacts. The results showed a higher number of total impacts and a higher number of impacts at higher levels during the first half, compared to a higher percentage of impacts at a low impact level in the second half. These results suggest that the intensity of gameplay is related to the number of impacts sustained, with players experiencing significantly more impacts, particularly at very low, low, and very high impact levels, in the first half compared to the second half. This decline in impacts aligns with the reduction in game intensity as the match progressed, as indicated by a lower heart rate and a trend towards a lower dynamic stress load in the second half. Future research could explore targeted training interventions aimed at optimizing workload and performance in goalball players.

Investigating the relationship between impairment and performance in goalball: A level playing field?

ABSTRACT Currently, all eligible goalball players compete together irrespective of their level of vision impairment, yet it remains unclear whether those with more impairment are disadvantaged during competition. Following the International Paralympic Committee’s requirement for evidence-based, sport-specific classification, this study assessed whether individual goalball performance relates to the level of visual impairment. Using results from the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, players’ sport classes and in-competition key performance statistics (minutes played, throws per minute, goals per minute, penalties conceded per minute, blocks per minute, and goals per throw) were extracted. Players’ visual acuity and visual field results were obtained through the IBSA Sport Administration System. Results showed no statistically significant differences in performance between classes. Further, there were no significant relationships between vision and performance for all six variables for female players. A small but significant positive correlation was found between visual acuity and the number of penalties conceded for male players. Collectively, the results suggest that currently eligible players compete fairly against one another during competitive goalball matches. Results provide support for the existing system of classification whereby all eligible athletes compete against each other irrespective of their level of impairment.

Electromyographic analysis of the traditional and spin throwing techniques for goalball games related to ball velocity for selected upper extremity muscles

BackgroundGoalball is a popular sport among visually impaired individuals, offering many physical and social benefits. Evaluating performance in Goalball, particularly understanding factors influencing ball velocity during throwing techniques, is essential for optimizing training programs and enhancing player performance. However, there is limited research on muscle activation patterns during Goalball throwing movements, needing further investigation to address this gap. Therefore, this study aims to examine muscle activity in sub-elite visually impaired Goalball players during different throwing techniques and visual conditions, focusing on its relationship with ball velocity.Methods15 sub-elite Goalball players (2 female, 13 males; mean age of 20.46 ± 2.23 years) participated in the study. Muscle activity was evaluated with the Myo armband, while ball velocity was measured using two cameras and analyzed with MATLAB software. Different visual conditions were simulated using an eye band, and the effects of these conditions on muscle activation and ball velocity were examined.ResultsThe flexor muscles were found to be more active during the spin throw techniques with the eyes open (p = 0.011). The extensor muscles were found to be more active in the eyes-closed spin throw techniques compared to the eyes-open position (p = 0.031). Ball velocity was found related to the flexor muscles. Interestingly, no significant differences in ball velocity were observed between different throwing techniques or visual conditions (p > 0.05).ConclusionsBall velocity, one of the performance indicators of the athlete, is primarily related to upper extremity flexor muscle strength rather than visual acuity. It has less visual acuity, but an athlete with more upper-extremity flexor muscle strength will have an advantage in Goalball game. The spin throw technique, which is reported to provide a biomechanical advantage for professional players in the literature, did not provide an advantage in terms of ball velocity for the sub elite players evaluated in our study. This knowledge can inform the development of targeted training programs aimed at improving technique and enhancing ball velocity in Goalball players.

Sensory function and somatosensorial system changes according to visual acuity and throwing techniques in goalball players: A cross-sectional study.

The somatosensory system is a complect sensory system that differentiates individual athletes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of visual acuity level on throwing technique, proprioceptive sense of the shoulder joint, light touch and two-point discrimination sense of the upper extremity, and sensory function (postural control and reaction time) in visually impaired goalball players. Goalball players who have different visual acuities B1(unable to perceive light or recognize its shape); B2 (has a visual field of less than 5 degrees and can recognize shapes); B3 (visual field greater than 5 degrees and less than 20 degrees) participated in the study. The sensorial system was evaluated with proprioceptive sense of the shoulder joint and sensory tests (light touch and two-point discrimination sense of the dominant hand.). Sensory function (postural control and reaction time) was evaluated with the flamingo balance test, functional reach test, and pro-agility test. The goalball players' throwing technique was questioned. Seventeen male players, those aged 20-30 (20.8±3.9 years) who have been professionally engaged in goalball for at least three years (58.7-37.8 months) participated. Shoulder internal rotation joint position sense and the flamingo balance test were found to be different in the group with B1 visual acuity than in the group with B3 visual acuity (p = 0.042* and 0.028 respectively). There was no difference between groups with B1-B2 visual acuity (p = 0.394 and p = 0.065) and between groups with B2-B3 visual acuity (p = 0.792 and p = 0.931). There was no difference in the groups in terms of sensory tests and reaction time (p> 0.05). In goalball, joint position sense is related to throwing techniques. Although there is a general acceptance that other sensory systems should work harder to compensate for the sense of vision, fear of falling, athlete's branch year, sports year, muscle strength, and general physical condition of the athlete may affect the measurements made, especially in the dynamic position.

The sound localization ability of students with visual impairment in goalball players, non-goalball players, and their peers with typical vision

Sound localization is the listener’s ability to detect the location of a sound based on direction and distance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability to orient to sounds of goalball players with visual impairment ( n = 19), non-players with visual impairment ( n = 16), and their sighted peers ( n = 15). All participants were in middle or high school. An acoustics room with four speakers was used to assess sound localization abilities. Results revealed that the goalball players with visual impairments had better localization performance ( p = .001) than the other two groups. The results suggest that engaging in goalball play may support sound localization, a skill useful in orientation and mobility, and other daily living skills.

Relationships among postural stability, physical fitness, and shooting accuracy in Olympic female goalball players.

This study aims to examine the relationship between postural perfor-mance, physical fitness level, and shooting performance in Olympic fe-male goalball players. Eight Olympic-level goalball players (age: 20.63± 4.37 years) were recruited from the Turkish National Women's Goalball Team. Postural stability, physical fitness, and shooting performance of the players were measured. The postural stability was determined us-ing body sway measurements during parallel and single-leg stances on a force plate. The physical fitness level of the players is evaluated by curl-up, isometric push-up, trunk lift, and grip strength (dominant hand) tests. A goalball-specific shooting accuracy test was used for shooting performance. Independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation were used for statistical processing. No statistical difference was observed in body sway parameters between open eyes and closed eyes condi-tions except for the anteroposterior sway area. Some of the body sway parameters performed under different stances positively correlated with all physical fitness tests (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the shooting accuracy and trunk lift score (r=0.767). Right leg sway area anterior-posterior and ellipse area negatively correlated with shooting accuracy (r=-0.629 and r=-0.692 respectively). It is necessary to attach importance to the improvement of the physical fitness level specific to core strength to maintain postural stability for visually im-paired athletes. In our study, some factors affecting shooting accuracy were identified, but it is necessary not to restrict a complex structure such as shooting accuracy within certain concepts.

Effects of Goalball on Balance: A Systematic Review

Goalball has been highlighted as a reference disabled sport from educational levels to its participation in the Paralympic Games, where the effects of this sport on balance and its relevance have been investigated. The aim of the systematic review was to systematically review those studies that evaluated the effects of goalball on balance in goalball athletes. A systematic review of PubMed and FECYT (Web of Sciences, CCC, DIIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO) was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The articles were included if they met the following inclusion criteria: (i) participants were goalball players; (ii) athletes playing goalball; (iii) outcomes were related to balance; and, (iv) original articles without language restriction. From the 85 studies initially identified, 7 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures were extracted and analyzed. In conclusion, the levels of balance seem to be closely related to the success of competitions, leading coaches to consider its development during training sessions. In this sense, the general practice of goalball may be sufficient at children’s levels, while the practice of 2 days or 5 h per week seems to be an adequate reference. However, athletes with partial levels of visual loss should not be subjected to continuous blinding during training sessions because it could lead to an accelerated reduction in balance levels.

Attack and Defense Performance in Goalball: A Proposal for Throwing, Balance and Acoustic Reaction Evaluation.

Simple SummaryGoalball is a dynamic sport for visually impaired people, where attack and defense situations alternate during the game. In attack situations, the throwing performance could be dependent on several variables such as the anthropometry, the core stability, or the balance of the athletes. In defense situations, the reaction time to an acoustic stimulus could be also considered as a performance factor. All these variables have been analyzed in this pilot study assessing the ball velocity and accuracy in throwing, analyzing the relationship with the previous parameters. New evaluation tests have been proposed in this research, suggesting a more specific evaluation test battery for this sport.Goalball is a sport for visually impaired athletes, where the roles of attack and defense change continuously during the game. Performance evaluation should consider the variables that determine the throwing and the stop and clearance of the ball. The aim of this study is to evaluate the precision and velocity of the ball throwing in goalball, besides core stability and balance as variables that determine an optimal throwing. Moreover, a novel acoustic reaction time is applied to analyze the defense performance. Eight goalball players (33 ± 9 years old; 77.8 ± 22.7 kg; 174 ± 13 cm; 10 ± 5 years of experience) were recruited to assess ball velocity, with a radar gun, and throwing accuracy. Anthropometry, static balance, and core stability were assessed using a computerized pressure platform. Acoustic reaction time was measured with a photoelectric system. A significant positive correlation was found between throwing speed and the years of experience (Ƿ = 0.714, p = 0.047), height (Ƿ = 0.786, p = 0.021), dominant leg surface area of the stabilogram (Ƿ = 0.738, p = 0.037), and non-dominant leg center of pressure mean velocity (Ƿ = 0.714, p = 0.017). In the present pilot study, height and years of experience are correlated to throwing velocity. This is also the first test proposal to assess throwing precision and complex acoustic reaction in goalball players, which could be used to assess the level of performance in future studies.

The Relationship between Structure Profile and Sport Performance of Elite Goalball players

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Structure profile and sport performance of the elite goalball players. Methods: The participants of this study were 30 goalball players competing in the men’s premium goalball league of Iran. their anthropometric properties measured. The performance of the players was assessed by filming and evaluating the matches. The normality of data distribution was assessed by Shapiro–Wilk test and due to the abnormality of the data distribution, Spearman correlation coefficient test was used. Results: The results showed that there was no significant relationship between body composition and somatotype with performance indices (p&gt;0.05). However, significant relationships were seen between the efficiency of defense with weight (p = 0.03) and body mass index (p = 0.03) and also between the efficiency of penalty shots with the height of defense (p = 0.005), the total length of the hand (P = 0.02), and the length of two open arms (p = 0.02). Furthermore, the relationships between the length of the foot and the efficiency of shots leading to the goal (p = 0.009) and the efficiency of penalty shots (p = 0.001) were significant. However, no significant relationship was observed between other anthropometric indices and sport performance of the players. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that despite the importance of anthropometric features, at the elite level; Experience, technique and practice and effort to improve performance in this field is much more important.

Анализ функционально-двигательного состояния голболистов

The relevance of this research is due to the need to monitor the functional state and the level of development of the coordination abilities of young goalball players in the annual macrocycle and the insufficient formation of a set of diagnostic tests for evaluating these indicators, taking into account visual deprivation of the studied contingent. As a subject of research, diagnostic tools for assessing the functional state and coordination abilities of young goalball players are defined. The aim of the research is to analyze the dynamics of the functional state and the level of development of the coordination abilities of goalball players in the initial training groups in the annual training macrocycle. To achieve the goal, the following research methods are used: analysis of scientific and methodological literature on the research problem, analysis of normative documentation regulating the training process in goalball, pedagogical observation, concretization, systematization, conducting functional tests and calculating indices based on the data obtained, testing coordination abilities, generalization. Results of the research: the features of the functional state and manifestations of the coordination abilities of children and adolescents with visual impairments are determined, the existing modified motor tests for people with visual deprivation re summarized; Functional-motor tests for athletes aged 14–16 years with visual impairments are presented and, on their basis, an analysis of training effects on the functional-motor state of goal-ball players during the annual macrocycle at the stage of initial training was carried out. The re-sults of the study can be recommended for practical application to athletes with visual impair-ments, specializing both in goalball and other sports, and their coaches in order to improve both the training process in general and quality and full control in particular.

Methodological Features of the Development of Specific Coordinating Abilities of Goalball Players

An attempt was made to determine the sports-specific coordination abilities necessary for goalball player for productive performance. The features of their manifestation were revealed taking into account the complete or partial visual deprivation of athletes, as well as the features of physical and technical fitness in goalball. Recommendations are given on the selection of means and methods for developing the ability to react, rebuild, orient and differentiate the parameters of goalball players’ movements during the training process.

Содержание учебно-тренировочных занятий голболистов групп начальной подготовки в переходном периоде

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that at present the theory and methodology of adaptive sports are undergoing active development, which is expressed in the development of various approaches to the organization, content and conduct of training sessions with people with various health disorders. At the same time, there is a problem of scientific and methodological support of goalball players’ sports training, its content and organization with persons with visual impairments. The purpose of the study was to develop the content of training sessions in the preparatory period of the annual cycle of sports training of goalball players in the initial training groups of the first year of study. To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used: analysis of normative documents regulating the sports training of goalball players, and scientific and methodological literature on the developmental features of children with deprivation and the specifics of their education, with subsequent generalization of the data obtained, made it possible to specify the time parameters of each type of sports training in within the entire preparatory period and a weekly microcycle, as well as to detail the content of training sessions. In the course of the study, we determined the duration of periods in the annual macrocycle of training goalball players of the first year of study at the initial stage of training; the number of hours allotted for theoretical, physical, technical-tactical and psychological training in the preparatory period was specified and calculated by the weeks of the period; the content of goalball training sessions for groups of initial training of the first year of study is proposed. Specially selected outdoor games and modified physical training exercises, including technical elements of the game, theoretical and psychological – conversations with athletes and coaches in adaptive sports of the region acted as the main means of developing the physical and technical-tactical training of goalball players.

Effect of an Eight-week Core Stability Training Program on the Functional Movement Screen Test Scores in Elite Goalball Players

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of core stability training on the functional movement screen (FMS) test scores in elite goalball players. Methods: The study sample included 26 elite goalball players. The players were randomized into the two groups of experimental (n=13) and control (n=13). Besides, FMS was used to evaluate the study variables in both groups, before and after the eight weeks of training. After the pretest, the experimental group performed the core stability training using a Swiss ball, three days a week for eight weeks; the control group did the usual training. Then, the analysis of covariance at the significant level of 0.05 was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: The results showed a significant difference in the adjusted mean scores of the FMS test between the experimental and control groups (P=0.021). Conclusion: The positive effect of core stability training on the FMS test scores of the motor function in goalball players emphasizes the effectiveness of this training in core stability muscles. Therefore, it is suggested to use core stability training combined with exercises as an effective way to improve movement patterns and prevent injury in goalball players.

Адаптивная двигательная рекреация в структуре каникулярных тренировочных сборов голболистов

The training macrocycle of goalball players includes 52 weeks and in addition to group and individual training, theoretical classes, sports competitions, etc. implies training camps. This needs to achieve continuity of the educational and training process, preparation for competitions, active recreation and recovery of disabled athletes. At the initial training stage, only summer and winter training camps are organized for goalball players twice a year. Summer three-week training camps include morning and evening classes. Morning training sessions following the goals of the initial training stage were mainly aimed at developing physical fitness and developing the game practice of goalball players. Evening training sessions were recreational, the orientation of which was determined by the goals of this type of adaptive physical education. In the introductory part there are construction, greeting, warm-up (varieties of walking and running, jumping, complexes of general developmental exercises with synchronized eye movement), in the main part – specially selected outdoor games for children with visual deprivation aimed at correcting and developing coordination abilities and improving game actions in goalball, in the final part – exercises to prevent the progression of visual impairments. We believe that the inclusion of recreational activities in the structure of the summer training camps of goalball players will contribute to the improvement of technical and tactical game actions, improve their physical fitness in general, correct and develop certain types of coordination abilities, prevent visual impairments, as well as implement the socializing and integrative function of adaptive physical education following the principle of hedonism.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLAYING SPORTS AND SELF-EFFICACY IN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

elf-efficacy is an assessment of an individual's own ability to organize and perform certain actions necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, and its development is very important. The research aimed to determine whether participation in sports and success in playing sports are associated with more pronounced self-efficacy in people with disabilities, and included two studies. The aim of the first study was to examine the differences in self-efficacy between those who play sports (goalball) and those who do not play sports on a sample of people with visual impairment, as well as whether this difference exists between goalball players of different levels of performance. The aim of the second study was to examine the existence of differences in self-efficacy between wheelchair basketball players and non-wheelchair basketball players. The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale consisting of ten statements was used as the measuring instrument and the respondents stated how much each item refers to them on a five-point Likert-type scale (from 0 to 4). In data processing the statistical method of the t-test, univariate analysis of variance (One way ANOVA), as well as the Post-Hoc test, were used. The results show that people with disabilities who play sports have more pronounced self-efficacy compared to those who do not play sports, as well as compared to athletes without disabilities. Statistical differences in self-efficacy between athletes with disabilities of different levels of performance have not been identified.

The Comparison of Physical Fitness, Anthropometric Characteristics, and Visual Acuity of Goalball Players with Their Right Shot Performance

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between physical fitness, anthropometric characteristics, visual acuity of athletes with visual impairments, and their right shot performance. Method: The participants of the study involved 34 male athletes with different visual acuities who participated in the 2015 Visually Impaired Schools Goalball Championship in Alanya, Turkey. The means of the participants’ age, body weight, height, and sport age were 14.95 ± 1.28 years, 52.06 ± 8.89 kilograms, 163.58 ± 10.39 centimeters, 02.39 ± 1.50 years, respectively. The participants’ physical fitness, body fat percentage, handgrip (right–left), and spine flexibility were measured. Upper and lower extremity lengths were obtained through anthropometric measurements, and the athletes’ right shot performance was calculated. To analyze the data, the Shapiro–Wilk test was used, and one-way analysis of variance and independent sample t-test were performed, because the data showed a normal distribution ( p = .106). In addition, multivariate regression model analysis was utilized to investigate the relationship between all parameters and the athletes’ right shot performance. Results: A significant difference was found among the groups’ right shot performance ( p = .03), specifically on behalf of the athletes with low vision. When the participants’ anthropometric features, physical fitness values, and their right shot performance were examined, a positive relationship was observed between their dominant (right) handgrip strength and right shot performance (stepwise method; p = .03, R2 = 0.14). However, no significant difference emerged between their anthropometric characteristics and right shot performance. Discussion: It is considered that visual acuity and upper extremity muscle strength are of vital importance in goalball. Implications for practitioners: Whereas the International Blind Sports Federation applies rules according to visual acuity to offer equal conditions for some areas of sport, in goalball such a rule does not exist. It is important to make a change in the regulations for competition groupings according to visual acuities in goalball like in other sports for individuals with visual impairments. More frequent workout oriented to upper extremity muscle strength during right shot performance is suggested in the training sessions.

“You Think Differently After Playing This Sport”: Experiences of Collegiate Goalball Players

The inclusion of athletes with and without disabilities in disability sport, known as reverse integration, has received limited attention in the literature. The purpose of this study was to understand players’ experiences in collegiate goalball. One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with two males (one with visual impairment, one without impairment) and four females (one with visual impairment, three without impairment) who participated in collegiate goalball programs. Interpretative thematic analysis helped uncover the meaning in participants’ goalball experiences. Reverse integration was used as a conceptual framework to guide the interpretation of participant experiences. Four main themes were extracted from the data: (a) the disability advantage, (b) the building of team cohesion, (c) the disappearing disability, and (d) enjoyment and pride. Participation in collegiate goalball allowed students to see disability as an asset and question assumptions regarding teammates’ abilities. This study highlights the potential value of providing opportunities for people with and without a disability to participate in sport together.

The effectiveness of bandwidth knowledge of results on a throwing task in goalball players with visual impairments

The purpose of the current study was to examine whether a wide bandwidth knowledge of results (WBWKR) would result in better throwing accuracy and consistency compared to a narrow bandwidth knowledge of results (NBWKR) among goalball players with visual impairments. Elite goalball players (n=14) were randomly assigned to one of two groups – a WBWKR or a NBWKR group. The participants practiced a throwing task on a goalball court with either a wide bandwidth (1.98 m) or a narrow bandwidth (1.5 m) target. They completed the task at pre-test and acquisition phases. Seventy-two hours after the participants completed the acquisition trials, they performed retention and transfer tests. It was found that in the transfer test, the number of target hits was significantly greater and the absolute error was significantly smaller in the WBWKR participants than in the NBWKR participants. We conclude that goalball players could benefit from the use of WBWKR when practicing throws at the goal.

The Prevalence of Injuries and Traumas in Elite Goalball Players.

Background: The last decade has seen the dynamic development of Paralympic sport, including the development of training facilities and training methods that allow for the achievement of results at the highest level in this group. This may be associated with an increased risk of injury and traumas. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and locations of injuries and the types of trauma suffered by goalball players. Methods: The study covered 43 players (24 women and 19 men) of the Goalball European Championship. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Results: The injuries were reported by 44%. Most often they concerned the upper limbs (92%). Positive correlations were found between age and prevalence of pelvis and knee joint injuries, whereas negative correlations occurred between competitive experience and the prevalence and location of injuries in the area of the upper limb. The highest percentage of trauma was found for epidermal abrasions, contusions, and dislocations. A negative correlation was observed between age and the prevalence of epidermal abrasions, whereas a positive correlation occurred between age and the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. The competitive experience was negatively correlated with the prevalence of abrasions and contusions and positively correlated with the prevalence of sprains and dislocations. A statistically significant correlation was found between body mass (BM) and the prevalence of injuries. In 23% of cases, training was interrupted for more than one month, whereas in 43%, the break was below one month. Conclusions: Playing position in goalball does not affect the prevalence of injuries and traumas, while body mass has a moderate effect on the prevalence of these events. The age of the subjects and their sports experience impact significantly on the prevalence and types of injuries.

PERCEPTION OF LIFE QUALITY OF VISUAL DISABLED ATHLETES

Abstract: People with visual impairment make up a group vulnerable to worse perception of Quality of Life due to limitations related to vision loss. In this scenario, actions that can promote a better quality of life for these people are needed. Among them, sports is a possibility. Objective: To investigate the quality of life of athletes with visually impaired goalball players. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 16 goalball athletes. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF (1997) questionnaire, which assessed the following domains: physical, psychological, social relations, environment, and two general questions about quality of life. The higher the score, the higher the satisfaction. Results: It was observed that the social relations domain had the highest level of satisfaction, since the average found was 16.7 and the highest observed value was the maximum value 20.0. In contrast, the environmental domain had the lowest level of satisfaction, as its average score was 12.8 and none of the respondents had the highest score. Final Considerations: It is considered that visually impaired athletes who practice goalball present greater satisfaction in the “social relations” domain of Quality of Life and, at the other extreme, greater dissatisfaction in the “environment” domain. These results show that sports practice is positive to improve the interpersonal relationship of visually impaired people, as it allows, in a way, more people with the same disability to relate. Regarding dissatisfaction with the environment, this result reinforces that unfortunately the accessibility conditions for people with disabilities are still precarious, limiting their daily activities.