Esak Ajitkumar, Hamzaid Nur Azah, See Edelene, Khoo Selina
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 28;14(1):31438. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-83127-7.
Wheelchair propulsion is a fundamental skill in wheelchair sports, particularly in wheelchair tennis. To achieve optimal mobility during wheelchair athletic performance, it is essential to consider propulsion techniques. This study examines the effect of push frequency and stroke duration on wheelchair maneuverability, measured by velocity during propulsion, among wheelchair tennis athletes. The athletes (N = 9; 5 elite and 4 novice) performed three tests; namely the comfortable speed propulsion test, sprint test and round-trip test; with and without holding their racquet, over their hard court. Results revealed that push frequency had positive correlation with propulsion velocity (r = 0.840, p < 0.001) while stroke time was negatively correlated with velocity (r = -0.859, p < 0.001). Propulsion performance between elite and novice wheelchair athletes, and between propelling with and without racquet were also reflected through these parameters. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) had significantly positive but low correlation with velocity and push frequency, and significant negative correlation with stroke time. This study could serve as a recommendation for wheelchair tennis athletes and coaches in planning their training protocols and techniques.
轮椅推进是轮椅运动中的一项基本技能，在轮椅网球运动中尤为重要。为了在轮椅运动表现中实现最佳机动性，考虑推进技术至关重要。本研究考察了推频和冲程持续时间对轮椅网球运动员推进过程中速度所衡量的轮椅机动性的影响。运动员（N = 9；5名精英运动员和4名新手）进行了三项测试；即舒适速度推进测试、冲刺测试和往返测试；在硬地球场上持拍和不持拍的情况下进行。结果显示，推频与推进速度呈正相关（r = 0.840，p < 0.001），而冲程时间与速度呈负相关（r = -0.859，p < 0.001）。这些参数也反映了精英和新手轮椅运动员之间以及持拍和不持拍推进之间的推进表现。主观用力程度（RPE）与速度和推频呈显著正相关但相关性较低，与冲程时间呈显著负相关。本研究可为轮椅网球运动员和教练制定训练方案和技术提供参考。
