Wheelchair Basketball Team Research Articles

Selecting the Best Compositions of a Wheelchair Basketball Team: A Data-Driven Approach

Wheelchair basketball, regulated by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, is a sport designed for individuals with physical disabilities. This article presents a data-driven tool that effectively determines optimal team lineups based on past performance data and metrics for player effectiveness. Our proposed methodology involves combining a Bayesian longitudinal model with an integer linear problem to optimize the lineup of a wheelchair basketball team. To illustrate our approach, we use real data from a team competing in the Rollstuhlbasketball Bundesliga, namely the Doneck Dolphins Trier. We consider three distinct performance metrics for each player and incorporate uncertainty from the posterior predictive distribution of the longitudinal model into the optimization process. The results demonstrate the tool’s ability to select the most suitable team compositions and to calculate posterior probabilities of several players playing together in the best composition.

“The wheelchair really is just a piece of athletic equipment to play the sport of basketball”: The experience of college athletes with disabilities navigating social inclusion and exclusion

This study examines the experiences of youth with physical disabilities navigating social inclusion and exclusion and their engagement in activism through college wheelchair basketball. Studies on disability frequently examine marginalization of, and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, which can reinforce stereotypical understandings of individuals with disabilities. Yet the attention to youth’s participation in sports, particularly competitive sports that illuminate their strengths and resilience, allows us to identify and discuss effective strategies for supporting the social inclusion of youth with disabilities. As part of our focused ethnography on one U.S. collegiate wheelchair basketball team, we conducted in-depth individual interviews with players and coaches. Participant youth described wheelchair basketball as mediating both social inclusion and exclusion. Their involvement in wheelchair basketball expanded the opportunities for self-growth, participation in social activities, and access to higher education. They, however, highlighted their differences from other athletes without disabilities, including unequal treatment of wheelchair basketball compared to “stand-up” basketball, which motivated them to engage in activism. Participants described strategies they have employed to increase the awareness of their games and educate their classmates about disability and wheelchair basketball. These narratives suggest implications for social justice, particularly the need to raise the voices of youth with disabilities, and strategies for supporting their engagement with advocacy roles and activism.

Evaluating field-goal shooting effectiveness in wheelchair basketball players across a competitive season: a preliminary study.

Information about non-elite wheelchair basketball (WB) players across national competitive seasons are still missing. This study aimed at identifying which situational-related variables were associated with shooting effectiveness in non-elite WB players. All the matches played by one WB team across one national competitive season were video-recorded and analysed; 333 shooting attempts from high-point players and several situational-related variables were considered. Pearson's Chi-square test showed that increased shooting effectiveness under the following conditions: playing on home ground, during won matches, while taking shots with the wheelchair in motion, and when no opposing player raised their arm in defence. Results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant influence of match location (p-value = 0.001), shot-clock remaining (p-value = 0.015) and modality of press (p-value < 0.001). The highest attack effectiveness was achieved when teams played at home (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49), while the shooting effectiveness decreased when the shot occurred during the last seconds of the action (OR = 0.36), or the opponents defended with the arm raised (OR = 0.19). These results suggest that coaches should include exercises aimed at shooting under conditions of increased pressure in their programmes in order to create specific situations during the training sessions to prepare their high-point athletes for shots under specific match constraints.

Potential limitations of measuring ambulatory activity of part-time wheelchair users: a comparative study of two research grade activity monitors

Objective. Research grade activity monitors such as the StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) and Actigraph have been shown to be highly accurate for the assessment of ambulatory activity, but some individuals function in the community using a combination of both walking and wheelchair activity. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of the SAM and Actigraph at not detecting ambulatory activity, during wheelchair activities at two intensity levels. Approach. Two independent cohorts were tested while simultaneously wearing a SAM and Actigraph on the ankle. Group 1 consisted of twelve adults performing a six-minute push test (6MPT). Group 2 were eighteen members of an adolescent wheelchair basketball team tested during a scrimmage/practice and regional tournament. Visual observation was used to confirm the number of ambulatory steps taken during testing was zero. Main results. The average number of ‘steps’ detected during a 6MPT was 19 ± 25 (range: 0–85) with the Actigraph. No ‘steps’ were detected using the SAM in Group 1. In Group 2, the average ‘step’ count during basketball practice was 1421 ± 750 (range: 612–2798) using the Actigraph and 1363 ± 1238 (range: 84–3462) using the SAM, and correlated with playing time, despite the leg/ankle being strapped down. Similar findings were observed during the wheelchair basketball regional tournament. Significance. Caution should be heeded when utilizing these activity monitors in individuals with disabilities who participate in wheelchair sports. Additional written activity logs should be used to exclude periods of time during which high acceleration wheelchair sporting activity occurs, or study participants should be fully educated in removing the activity monitors during non-ambulatory wheelchair sports.

Epidemiology of injuries and illnesses in elite wheelchair basketball players over a whole season – a prospective cohort study

BackgroundWheelchair basketball is an adaptation of pedestrian basketball and one of the most popular Paralympic sports worldwide. The epidemiology of health problems in wheelchair basketball has been prospectively studied only during the Paralympic Games, the 2018 World Championships, the 2021 South America Wheelchair Basketball Championship, and one season of two American intercollegiate wheelchair basketball teams. The objective of the study was to prospectively monitor and analyze the prevalence, incidence, burden, and characteristics of injuries and illnesses in a wheelchair basketball league during an entire season for the first time.MethodsAll players of the highest German wheelchair basketball league (Bundesliga) were invited to participate in the study. Included players completed the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire once a week during the entire season 2020/21 to report health problems. Exposure was captured by self-reported training time and officially-recorded competition time.ResultsSixty of 117 players (51%, 47 male, 13 female) of the national league participated with an average response of 93%. Seventy health problems (5.5/1000 exposure hours [95% CI: 4.9–6.1]) were reported, including 54 injuries and 16 illnesses. Prevalence of health problems was 60% (95% CI: 48–72). Most injuries affected the shoulder (32% of all injuries), cervical spine/neck (17%), and hand (13%). More overuse injuries (2.9/1000 exposure hours [95% CI: 2.5–3.3]) than acute injuries (1.3/1000 exposure hours [95% CI: 1.0-1.6]) occurred. Of all health problems, 53% were associated with time-loss. The incidences of all health problems, illnesses, injuries, and overuse injuries were higher in women than in men.ConclusionsCharacteristics and frequency of injuries and illnesses during wheelchair basketball season differed from those during major wheelchair basketball tournaments. The high proportion of overuse injuries and the higher injury rates in women should be regarded in the development of individualized prevention measures. Since results from previous studies during major tournaments are only partially comparable to wheelchair basketball league play, further studies should follow.

The Effect of Functional Classification of Wheelchair Basketball Players on Blood Pressure Values after Physical Activity

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the impact of the functional classification of wheelchair basketball players on blood pressure values after sub-maximal exercise.&#x0D; Methods: the researchers used semi-experimental method with all its procedures to achieve the study objectives. The study sample consisted of (8) players out of the (12) players representing the Jordan national wheelchair basketball team based on the records of the Jordan Paralympic Committee for years 2021, and the players were selected deliberately. The researchers used the semi-experimental method to achieve the study objectives. Moreover, the researchers used the VO2PEAK test and Borg scale of perceived severity statistically, the One Way ANOVA test and the LSD test were used, in addition to the arithmetic mean.&#x0D; Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the value of diastolic blood pressure in the categories (1-1.5) and (2-2.5). This took place lower due to the nature of the disabilities falling under these two categories are according to the classification of wheelchair basketball players.&#x0D; Conclusions: In light of the results, the researchers recommend taking into consideration the values of diastolic blood pressure when developing training programs, especially for players with amputations from the classification of amputations of the lower limbs above the knee.

Promoting language development in physically disabled adults through sports: The content and language integrated learning method

This study reports on the outcomes of a qualitative study which explores the perceptions of ten wheelchair basketball players of the implementation of a content and language integrated learning (CLIL) program. The participants were all members of the official wheelchair basketball team of the Sports Federation for the Disabled in North Cyprus. They were all young adults (18-35 years old) and their level of English language proficiency ranged from elementary to beginner. After a 4-month CLIL intervention period, the data were elicited through individual interviews from the participants. A qualitative analysis of the textual data revealed the themes such as improved self-image, high motivation, developed social skills, and better speaking skills in the target language. The results have a few practical implications for English such as foreign language teachers, sports coaches, and local disability committees.

A Log-Linear Analysis of Efficiency in Wheelchair Basketball According to Player Classification

Within the framework of observational methodology, we conducted a log-linear analysis to study efficiency in relation to players’ functional ability in wheelchair basketball by analyzing associations between the position of the last pass before a shot, a shot position, and a shot result (favorable or unfavorable). The observation sample contained all offensive sequences ending in a shot by the US men’s wheelchair basketball team, who won the gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Data were annotated and coded in the Lince software program and their reliability confirmed by measuring interobserver agreement using Cohen’s kappa statistics. Log-linear modeling showed that the models generated to explain offensive sequences ending in a shot by players with greater functional ability were closest to models observed for professional basketball players and were the only models to show significant effects in terms of efficiency.

Sequential analysis of the construction of shots in wheelchair basketball and efficiency by player classification level

The objective of the present study was to analyse the construction and effectiveness of the offensive sequences of shots by members of the 2016 Paralympic gold medal men&#8217;s wheelchair basketball team. The analysis included the shot situation and of the actions leading up to the shot (reception prior to the shot, last pass, reception prior to the last pass, penultimate pass, and previous reception to the penultimate pass), based on the classification level of the player who performs the technical-tactical action. The registration and coding of the data was performed on the software programme LINCE. The reliability of the data was examined by inter-observer agreement through Cohen's Kappa coefficient. The results allow to deepen the specificity of the game of this sport, having characterized the construction of effective and ineffective (shot from the right lateral or the centre; from the offensive outside or from the offensive intermediate zone; shot made by players with the greatest functional limitations; players with greater functional difficulties perform the last reception, the last pass, and the reception prior to the last pass) sequences.

Health-Related Incidents among Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Players.

Studies have revealed a higher incidence of injury and illness among elite adaptive athletes when compared to non-disabled athletes in the Paralympics and Olympics. However, sport-specific health care incidence rates and patterns outside of the Paralympics have been poorly described. To date, there are no prospective studies focused on injury or illness rates among intercollegiate wheelchair basketball players. To determine the incidence of sports-related injuries and illnesses among men's and women's intercollegiate wheelchair basketball teams throughout a season. We hypothesized that injury rates among the intercollegiate wheelchair basketball players would be similar to or greater than those of previously published National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) nondisabled basketball players and that injuries would most commonly affect the upper extremities. Prospective surveillance study. Men's and women's intercollegiate wheelchair basketball teams in Arlington, Texas. Twenty-eight (14 male, 14 female) of the 29 (15 male, 14 female) eligible adult athletes playing on an intercollegiate men's or women's wheelchair basketball team during the 2018-2019 season. Completion of a repeatable, electronic, web-app injury and illness survey during the season, as well as separate pre- and post-season injury and illness surveys. Injury rates throughout the season based on athlete-exposures and relative risk (RR) of injury of intercollegiate wheelchair basketball players compared to NCAA nondisabled basketball players. Description of onset, location, diagnosis, medical evaluation, and missed time from sport related to injuries and illnesses. Sixty-two health-related incidents, including 48 injuries and 14 illnesses, were prospectively reported during the season. Overall injury incidence rates were 12.2 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 7.4 to 17.4) and 13.1 (95% CI 7.8 to 18.4) injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures among male and female athletes, respectively. These equated to RRs of 1.53 (95% CI 1.03 to 2.27) (male) and 2.01 (95% CI 1.34 to 3.02) (female) when compared to the rates published previously on NCAA nondisabled basketball players, indicating a statistically significant increase in injury risk. Injuries most commonly involved the upper extremities (56.3%). Illnesses commonly involved the gastrointestinal (35.7%) or respiratory (21.4%) systems. This is the first prospective study to report incidence of sports-related injuries and illnesses throughout an intercollegiate wheelchair basketball season. Overall injury rates reported were higher than prior NCAA nondisabled intercollegiate basketball reports. This reinforces the need to establish an accessible network of health care support and injury prevention strategies for these athletes.

Motivação e índices de depressão em atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas

Objetivo: Avaliar a motivação para a prática de esportes e níveis de depressão de atletas integrantes de uma equipe de basquetebol em cadeira rodas de uma cidade do interior do estado do Paraná. Metodologia: Para a avaliação da motivação utilizou-se do Inventário de Motivação à Prática Regular de Atividade Física – IMPRAF 54 e para os índices de depressão utilizou-se a escala de Depressão de Beck. Foram avaliados 11 indivíduos, atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas com diferentes tipos de deficiência física e tempo de experiência na modalidade. Resultados: Como resultados observa-se que os índices de motivação se relacionam em maior escala apenas nos aspectos de saúde, prazer e para minimizar o estresse, os índices de depressão entre os atletas encontram-se baixos, fator que não é determinante para um preocupação generalizada sobre o time de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas. Considerações Finais: O índice de motivação mais relevantes para os atletas é o aspecto da saúde, já o menos motivacional dentro destes aspectos é o da competição. Já os índices de depressão demonstram que entre os atletas ocorre um nível baixo de depressão.

Изследване на игровата ефективност на националния баскетболен отбор на колички

Before the European Championships, the Bulgarian National Wheelchair Basketball Team hold three friendly meetings in the town of Gabrovo in “Orlovets” hall against the teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania. The purpose of the study is to analyze the performance of the players from the Bulgarian Wheelchair Basketball Team. Information is collected on the playing activities of nine athletes on 14 indicators during the two friendly meetings with the Bosnia and Herzegovina team. The analysis shows that the average values of eight of the studied indicators are better at the first control match of our national team against the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the second match the remaining six of the indicators shows up.

Uninspired: Framing Wheelchair Basketball and Able-Bodied Basketball in College News Sources

Guided by framing theory, this study identifies qualitative differences in the coverage of college wheelchair and able-bodied basketball teams. The sample consisted of 160 wheelchair basketball and 160 able-bodied basketball articles published over five seasons in seven online, student-led news sources at universities with wheelchair sports programs. This analysis contrasts previous studies of adaptive sports coverage, which focused primarily on professional journalists’ portrayals of the Paralympics. The framing of wheelchair basketball players as high-performance, physical athletes was scarce when compared to the coverage of able-bodied athletes. Overall, wheelchair basketball was portrayed as lacking legitimacy. When performance of wheelchair basketball players and teams was noted, references to performance statistics, emphasis on the physical and psychological demands of the sport, and the use of literary devices were scarce. In contrast, able-bodied players were framed as talented, legitimate athletes and warriors fighting important battles for their teams. Critical disability theoretical implications are discussed. A discussion of practical implications for adaptive sports journalists, student sports reporters, and collegiate wheelchair basketball concludes the study.

'A level playing field': Young people's experiences of wheelchair basketball as an enabling place.

Using a novel case-study of a youth wheelchair basketball team in Auckland, New Zealand, we investigate the experiences of young people with physical disabilities in recreational sports places. We consider the 'enabling places' created by this sport, which can enhance disabled young people's wellbeing and social inclusion. Semi-structured interviews with the team's players and coordinators revealed logistical and societal challenges associated with facilitating youth-oriented sports, as well as those encountered by team members personally. They also identified physical health and social benefits experienced through involvement in wheelchair basketball. The material, social and affective dimensions of participants' experiences of wheelchair basketball elucidate the capacity for the sport, and its team members and settings, to affirm young people's identity and place-in-the-world. We conclude that youth-specific, inclusive sports generate enabling places that enhance young people's social inclusion, wellbeing and life enjoyment.

The physiological response of athletes with impairments in wheelchair basketball game

PurposeThe aim of this study was to analyze the physiological response of WB athletes related to type of impairment and functional classification in game situationsMaterial and methodsOverall, 15 male players from the Polish National Wheelchair Basketball Team were observed during friendly and championships games (2017 and 2018). Heart rate (peak and average: HR&lt;sub&gt;peak&lt;/sub&gt;, HR&lt;sub&gt;av&lt;/sub&gt;) and the number of sprints were monitored for each player per a full game with Polar Team Pro. For each athlete, 5 HR zones were calculated based on peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, HR&lt;sub&gt;peak&lt;/sub&gt;, body weight, and age (aerobic laboratory test). Heart rate reserve (HRR) and percentage of HRR (%HRR) were established. Results were compared between athletes related to the type of impairment (spinal cord injuries and other physical impairments) and functional classification (group A: 1.0–2.5 points; group B: 3.0–4.5 points).ResultsThe results showed the specificity of WB games, i.e. all players were found in all HR zones with different contribution. Group A athletes played less than those form group B in the 5&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; HR zone (15% and 21%, respectively), had significantly lower HR&lt;sub&gt;peak&lt;/sub&gt;, HR&lt;sub&gt;av&lt;/sub&gt;, HRR, %HRR, and did more sprintsConclusionsThe study confirmed a differential specificity of a WB game. Significant differences were observed in the physiological response between WB athletes representing different functional levels. This knowledge is important to plan preseason conditioning exercises for individual WB athletes. Further studies are needed to better understand the physiological response of WB players.

Evaluation of Regional Body Composition in Able-Body and Wheelchair Basketball Teams

Evaluation of Regional Body Composition in Able-Body and Wheelchair Basketball Teams

Comparison of sleep status among three Japanese national wheelchair basketball teams.

[Purpose] Sufficient sleep is required for maximal performance and good mood. Japan has three national wheelchair basketball teams: Top male, Top female, and Under-23 (U23) male teams. Using these team members as model, this study investigated the difference of sleep status of wheelchair basketball players by age and gender. [Subjects and Methods] There were 44 participants: 14 in the Top male team (29.5 ± 5.2 years), 18 in the Top female team (30.6 ± 9.2 years), and 12 in the U23 team (19.1 ± 2.0 years). Sleep status was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); higher scores indicate poor sleep quality. [Results] PSQI scores in the Top male and female teams were higher than in the U23 team. The Top teams showed shorter sleep duration and worse sleep efficacy than the U23 team. Time spent in bed and sleep duration in the female team were shorter than in the Top male and U23 teams. More male players reported “feel too hot” as the reason for sleep disturbance than female players. [Conclusion] Players in the Top Japanese national wheelchair basketball teams had poorer sleep status than U23 players. Among female players, the reason for insomnia was less sleep duration. For males, the reason for insomnia was “feel too hot.”

Comparison of Aerobic Performance Testing Protocols in Elite Male Wheelchair Basketball Players.

In wheelchair sports, aerobic performance is commonly assessed with the use of an arm crank ergometer (ACE), a wheelchair ergometer (WCE) or a wheelchair treadmill (WCT). There are different protocols to identify peak oxygen uptake in wheelchair sports; however, only a few protocols have been applied to evaluate these conditions in wheelchair basketball players. The purpose of this study was to compare physiological responses during maximal exercise testing with the use of ACE and WCT in wheelchair basketball players. Twelve elite male wheelchair basketball players participated in this study. The research was performed during a training camp of the Polish National Wheelchair Basketball Team. The study participants were divided into two functional categories: A (players with class 1.0 - 2.5) and B (players with class 3.0 - 4.5). Two main maximal exercise tests, i.e. wheelchair treadmill stress test (WCT test) and arm crank ergometer stress test (ACE test) were used to evaluate aerobic performance of the players. There were no statistically significant differences in aerobic tests between the players from both groups. The comparison of results achieved in two aerobic tests performed on WCT and ACE did not reveal any significant differences between the analyzed variables (peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), minute ventilation (VE), anaerobic threshold (AT), lactate concentration (LApeak), and a drop in lactate concentration (%LA)). Strong correlations between results achieved in WCT and ACE tests were found for VO2peak, VE and LApeak. The main conclusion of the study is that both WCT and ACE tests may be useful when determining aerobic capacity of wheelchair basketball players. Moreover, both protocols can be used by athletes regardless of their functional capabilities and types of impairment.

Exploring the legitimacy of wheelchair basketball as an NCAA emerging sport

Given the frustrations of wheelchair basketball athletes’ media portrayal, NCAA recognition of the sport would presumably be paramount. While this status has been argued for in past research (e.g., ), the legitimacy of such a moniker has not been studied. Accordingly, this study sought to explore whether the attainment of NCAA recognition for the sport of collegiate wheelchair basketball would be an appropriate endeavor under the NCAA bylaws as of 2014. Applying the constant comparative method for document analysis, the study examines the legitimacy of this moniker with respect to the requisite number of teams for emerging sport status, divisional alignment, academic eligibility, Title IX, and institutional recognition. Ultimately, the study recommends that female collegiate wheelchair basketball teams apply first for NCAA emerging sport status, while men’s teams could follow, provided the requisite number of teams rule could be waived.

Terry Fox: Canadian Cancer Research Activist Whose “Marathon of Hope” Inspired Millions

From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusettes (D.P.S.), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (D.R.), and Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (M.A.S., R.A.K.). T errance Stanley “Terry” Fox (19581981) was a Canadian athlete and cancer research activist whose attempt to run from coast to coast across Canada in 1980 inspiredmillions and left an enduring legacy. Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1958 and moved with his family to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia (25 km from Vancouver), in 1968. His parents and siblings noted that Terry was extremely competitive and stubborn from an early age. Despite his small size, he was named “athlete of the year” by his graduating high school class, and he enrolled in Simon Fraser University in Vancouver in 1976, where he studied kinesiology, played junior varsity basketball, and planned to become a physical education teacher. Chronic leg pain after an automobile accident in November 1976 eventually led to the diagnosis of osteosarcoma involving Fox’s right leg in March 1977. He underwent an abovethe-knee amputation, followed by more than a year of adjuvant chemotherapy at the BC Cancer Agency. Reportedly, one of Fox’s physicians told him that if he had been diagnosed a few years earlier, he would have received less effective chemotherapy with a poorer chance of long-term survival, which made Fox acutely aware of the importance of cancer research. He was upset when he learned of the limited cancer research funding in Canada at the time of his diagnosis and became motivated to act after witnessing some of the difficult experiences of his fellow patients with cancer. Fox recovered remarkably quickly after his amputation and began to walk with a prosthesis less than amonth after his surgery. He refused to consider himself disabled and joined a wheelchair basketball team a few months later, ultimately winning a national championship. After reading about Dick Traum, an amputee who completed the New York City Marathon in 1976, Fox decided to run the entire East-West length of Canada to raise money in support of