A1 Journal article (refereed)
Evaluating objective measures of impairment to trunk strength and control for cross-country sit skiing (2021)

Rosso, V., Linnamo, V., Vanlandewijck, Y., Rapp, W., Fasel, B., Karczewska-Lindinger, M., Lindinger, S., & Gastaldi, L. (2021). Evaluating objective measures of impairment to trunk strength and control for cross-country sit skiing. Sports Engineering, 24, Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-021-00342-5

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rosso, Valeria; Linnamo, Vesa; Vanlandewijck, Yves; Rapp, Walter; Fasel, Benedikt; Karczewska-Lindinger, Magdalena; Lindinger, Stefan; Gastaldi, Laura

Journal or series: Sports Engineering

ISSN: 1369-7072

eISSN: 1460-2687

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 25/03/2021

Volume: 24

Article number: 6

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-021-00342-5

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74916

Abstract

In Paralympic cross-country sit skiing, athlete classification is performed by an expert panel, so it may be affected by subjectivity. An evidence-based classification is required, in which objective measures of impairment must be identified. The purposes of this study were: (i) to evaluate the reliability of 5 trunk strength measures and 18 trunk control measures developed for the purposes of classification; (ii) to rank the objective measures, according to the largest effects on perfor-mance. Using a new testing device, 14 elite sit-skiers performed two upright seated press tests and one simulated poling test to evaluate trunk strength. They were also subjected to unpredictable balance perturbations to measure trunk control. Tests were repeated on two separate days and test–retest reliability of trunk strength and trunk control measures was evalu-ated. A cluster analysis was run and correlation was evaluated, including all strength and control measures, to identify the measures that contributed most to clustering participants. Intraclass correlations coefficients (ICC) were 0.71 < ICC < 0.98 and 0.83 < ICC < 0.99 for upright seated press and perturbations, respectively. Cluster analysis identified three clusters with relevance for strength and balance control measures. For strength, in upright seated press peak anterior pushing force without backrest (effect size = 0.77) and ratio of peak anterior pushing force without and with backrest (effect size = 0.72) were significant. For balance control measures, trunk range of motion in forward (effect size = 0.81) and backward (effect size = 0.75) perturbations also contributed. High correlations (− 0.76 < r < − 0.53) were found between strength and control measures. The new testing device, protocol, and the cluster analysis show promising results in assessing impairment of trunk strength and control to empower an evidence-based classification.

Keywords: disabled sports; Paralympic Games; skiing; biomechanics; force production (physiology); body control

Free keywords: evidence-based classification; paralympics; sitting sport; core stability; nordic skiing

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1