Faculty of Science and Technology, London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, UK.
International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation, UK.
J Sports Sci. 2021 Sep;39(17):2006-2014. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1912454. Epub 2021 May 5.
Wheelchair fencing (WF) is a Paralympic sport which is practised by athletes with physical disabilities and is classified into three categories according to the degree of activity limitation the impairment causes in the sport. All Paralympic sports are requested to develop their own evidence-based classification system to enhance the confidence in the classification process; however, this is yet to be achieved in WF. Research within WF is scarce; therefore, the aim of this study was to reach expert consensus on the physical characteristics that underpin performance of athletes competing in the sport as this is known as one of the initial steps required to achieve an evidence-based classification system. Sixteen Paralympic WF coaches were invited to take part in a three-round Delphi study, with experts drawing consensus on qualities of speed, strength, power, flexibility and motor control of the trunk and fencing arm being associated with increased athletic success. The required qualities of the non-fencing arm led to diverging opinions across the expert panel. This study provides clear guidance of the physical qualities to be developed to maximize athletic performance while also providing the initial framework to guide future WF classification research.
轮椅击剑（WF）是一项残奥会运动，由身体残疾运动员参加，并根据运动中损伤对活动的限制程度分为三类。所有残奥会运动都被要求开发自己的基于证据的分类系统，以增强对分类过程的信心；然而，这在 WF 中尚未实现。WF 内的研究很少；因此，本研究的目的是就运动员在该运动中表现的身体特征达成专家共识，因为这被认为是实现基于证据的分类系统所需的初始步骤之一。16 名残奥会 WF 教练受邀参加三轮 Delphi 研究，专家们就与运动成绩提高相关的速度、力量、爆发力、柔韧性和躯干及击剑臂的运动控制等素质达成共识。非击剑臂所需的素质导致专家组意见分歧。本研究为最大限度地提高运动表现而发展的身体素质提供了明确的指导，同时也为未来的 WF 分类研究提供了初步框架。
