ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare the strength and agility of wheelchair rugby (WR) athletes with different functional classifications (FC) and describe the relationship between agility and upper extremity isometric muscle strength (IMS). A total of 10 WR athletes were analyzed, divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1): FC 0.5 and 1.0; and Group 2(G2): FC 1.5 to 2.5. IMS was evaluated by a dynamometer, and agility by a zig-zag test. Spearman’s correlation was used to describe the relationship between IMS and performance on the agility test. In contrast, the t-test was used to compare strength and agility between different FCs (p≤0.05). Shoulder extensor IMS was higher in G2 athletes (p=0.001; d=3.10), which were also more agile than G1 athletes (G1=23.66s>G2=17.55s; p=0.015; d=2.00). Both groups showed a correlation between bilateral shoulder extensor strength and agility (r=−0.721; p=0.019). Athletes with high FC scores are more agile than athletes with low scores and, therefore, have greater movement speed when performing WR tasks. Greater shoulder extensor muscle strength is associated with greater agility in WR athletes.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la fuerza y la agilidad de los deportistas de rugby en silla de ruedas (RSR) desde diferentes clasificaciones funcionales (CF), así como describir la relación entre la agilidad y la fuerza muscular isométrica (FMI) de las extremidades superiores. Se evaluaron a diez deportistas RSR en dos grupos: Grupo 1 (G1): CF 0,5 y 1,0; y Grupo 2 (G2): CF 1,5 a 2,5. En la evaluación de la FMI se utilizó la dinamometría; y en la evaluación de la agilidad, la prueba de zigzag. La correlación de Spearman se utilizó para describir la relación entre la FMI y el rendimiento en la prueba de agilidad, mientras que la prueba t se utilizó para comparar la fuerza y la agilidad entre las diferentes CF (p≤0,05). La FMI de los extensores del hombro fue mayor en el G2 (p=0,001; d=3,10), y este también fue más ágil que el G1 (G1=23,66s>G2=17,55s; p=0,015; d=2,00). Hubo una correlación entre la fuerza muscular bilateral de los extensores del hombro y la agilidad en ambos grupos (r=−0,721; p=0,019). Los deportistas con altas puntuaciones de CF fueron los más ágiles en comparación con aquellos con bajas puntuaciones, por lo tanto, se constata que tienen una mayor velocidad de desplazamiento en la realización de tareas de RSR. Una mayor fuerza muscular de los extensores de hombro se asocia con una mayor agilidad en los deportistas RSR.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a força e a agilidade de atletas do rúgbi em cadeira de rodas (RCR) por meio de diferentes classificações funcionais (CFs), bem como descrever a relação da agilidade com a força muscular isométrica (FMI) de membros superiores. Foram analisados 10 atletas de RCR, divididos em dois grupos: Grupo 1 (G1): CF 0,5 e 1,0; e Grupo 2 (G2): CF 1,5 a 2,5. A FMI foi avaliada pela dinamometria, e a agilidade pelo teste em ziguezague. A correlação de Spearman foi utilizada para descrever a relação entre a FMI e o desempenho no teste de agilidade, enquanto o teste t foi usado para comparar a força e a agilidade entre as diferentes CFs (p≤0,05). A FMI dos extensores do ombro foi maior no G2 (p=0,001; d=3,10), que também se mostrou mais ágil que o G1 (G1=23,66s>G2=17,55s; p=0,015; d=2,00). Verificou-se a correlação entre força muscular bilateral de extensores de ombro e agilidade em ambos os grupos (r=−0,721; p=0,019). Atletas com pontuação alta na CF são mais ágeis comparados a atletas com pontuações baixas e, portanto, apresentam maior velocidade de deslocamento ao executar as tarefas do RCR. Maior força muscular dos extensores de ombro é associada à maior agilidade em atletas do RCR.

Abstract Aim: This study aims to compare the sleep parameters in Paralympic powerlifting athletes during days with and without training, and to analyze the relationship between the training load and sleep on the same day and the relationship between the previous night's sleep and the training load of the following day. Methods: Actigraphy was used to analyze the sleep parameters of 11 Paralympic powerlifting athletes for 14 days (7 days without and with training), whereas Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) analysis was used to assess training load. In addition, the Horne and östberg chronotype questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were applied. Results: Athletes show morning and indifferent chronotype and low daytime sleepiness. We found that on training days, sleep onset latency (SOL) was lower (average 5.3 min faster), whereas total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE) were higher (TST averaged 169 min and SE 7% higher) compared to non-training days. In addition, the TST of the night before the training days correlated positively with the RPE of the following day, and the training volume correlated negatively with the SE of the same day. Conclusion: Our findings show that Paralympic powerlifting training had positive effects in increasing TST and SE and decreasing SOL on training days. These results show the positive effects of this type of training in improving sleep in athletes with physical disabilities. In addition, a good night's sleep the day before training can make it possible to put more effort into the next day's training. Therefore, guiding athletes to sleep more before training with more intense loads is recommended.

Abstract Aim: This study aims to characterize the stress, recovery, mood, and motivation together with the training load of athletes with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) during a period of resumption of wheelchair rugby (WCR) training. Additionally, it aims to compare the psychological and load training aspects during a competitive preseason and determine the correlations between training load, mood, stress, and recovery. Methods: We evaluated variables such as mood (Brazilian Mood Scale, BRAMS), stress and recovery (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes, RESTQ-Sport 76) and training load (Subjective Perception of Effort - SPE) of eight high-performance athletes of wheelchair rugby with CSCIs at three different times (E1 = returning from vacation, E2 = half of the preseason, and E3 = after 2 months of training) for 2 months at a monthly interval. We also evaluated motivation (Sport Motivation Scale) at E1 and E3. Results: Results indicated few changes during the competitive preseason in terms of stress, recovery, and mood. However, the training load decreased toward the end of this period. Furthermore, we found that physical complaints positively correlated with depression when resuming training. In the middle of the competitive preseason period, we also noted positive correlations between conflict/pressure and fatigue and between fatigue and energy loss. At the end of this period, the SPE and arbitrary units correlated positively with conflict/pressure. Conclusion: We found few changes during the competitive preseason in terms of stress, recovery, and mood but not motivation, which did not change during this period. On the other hand, the training load decreased at the end of the competitive preseason. Furthermore, we observed correlations between training load and psychological aspects at different times.

Resumo O estudo teve como objetivo mapear geograficamente os atletas paralímpicos brasileiros de natação e atletismo, bem como identificar suas deficiências. Os dados dos atletas foram obtidos junto ao Comitê Paralímpico Brasileiro (CPB), onde buscamos informações sobre os atletas que participaram do Circuito Loterias Caixa de 2015. A amostra foi de 1.708 atletas paralímpicos das modalidades natação e atletismo, sendo 913 da natação e 795 do atletismo. Observou-se que a maioria dos atletas é da região Sudeste (66%), seguida das regiões Sul (11%), Nordeste (11%), Centro-Oeste (9%) e Norte (3%). Houve predominância de atletas com deficiência físico-motora (65,5%), seguida das deficiências visual (25,1%) e intelectual (9,4%). Concluímos que a região brasileira com maior número de atletas no atletismo e na natação é a Sudeste e a região com menor número foi a Norte. Além disso, encontramos predominância da deficiência físico-motora, tanto no atletismo quanto na natação.

Abstract The study conducted a geographic mapping of Brazilian Paralympic athletes practicing swimming and athletics and identified their disabilities. Data about the athletes were provided by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), where we sought information about those who participated in the 2015 competition Circuito Loterias Caixa. The sample consisted of 1,708 paralympic swimming and athletics athletes - 913 and 795 respectively. The study found that most athletes came from Brazil’s Southeast region (66%), followed by the South (11%), Northeast (11%), Center-West (9%) and North (3%). Athletes with physical-motor disabilities (65.5%) were the majority, followed by the visually (25.1%) and intellectually (9.4%) impaired. We concluded that the Brazilian region with the most athletics and swimming athletes is the Southeast while the North region had lowest number. In addition, we found predominance of physical-motor disabilities in both sports.

Resumen El estudio tuvo como objetivo mapear geográficamente a los atletas paralímpicos brasileños de natación y atletismo, además de identificar sus deficiencias. Los datos de los atletas fueron obtenidos junto al Comité Paralímpico Brasileño (CPB), donde buscamos informaciones sobre los atletas que participaron del Circuito Loterías Caixa de 2015. La muestra fue de 1.708 atletas paralímpicos de la modalidades natación y atletismo, siendo 913 de natación y 795 de atletismo. Se observó que la mayoría de los atletas son de la región Sudeste (66%), seguida de la Sur (11%), Nordeste (11%), Centro-Oeste (9%) y Norte (3%). Se observó un predominio de atletas con deficiencia físico-motora (65,5%), seguida de las deficiencias visual (25,1%) e intelectual (9,4%). Concluimos que la región brasileña con mayor número de atletas en atletismo y natación es la Sudeste y la región con menor número fue la Norte. Además, encontramos predominancia de la deficiencia físico-motora, tanto en el atletismo como en la natación.