Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of synchronous versus asynchronous push modes on performance and biomechanical parameters in elite wheelchair basketball

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Sports Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of synchronous (SYN) vs asynchronous (ASY) modes of wheelchair propulsion in field sprint tests on performance and biomechanical parameters. Seven elite wheelchair basketball players performed two separate (SYN and ASY) straight-line 20-m sprints. ASY increased sprint time and decreased push frequency compared to SYN (p < 0.05). Peak velocity and total force for the mean of the last three pushes were higher in SYN. Rate of rise was higher in SYN for the first, second and third pushes (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found for peak power and mean work. SYN mode induces better performance (13% difference in speed). However, the increase in rate of rise, thus the expansion of the total force when gripping the hand rim, push frequency and total force in SYN modes seems to expand the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders during manual wheelchair propulsion for upper limb joints than ASY.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Vanlandewijck Y, Theisen D, Daly D (2001) Wheelchair propulsion biomechanics: implications for wheelchair sports. Sports Med 31:339–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bayley JC, Cochran TP, Sledge CB (1987) The weight-bearing shoulder. The impingement syndrome in paraplegics. J Bone Joint Surg Am 69:676–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Baldwin MA, Shimada SD, Koontz A (1999) Wheelchair pushrim kinetics: body weight and median nerve function. Arch Phys Med Rehab 80:910–915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Kirk JH (2003) Effect of push frequency and strategy variations on economy and perceived exertion during wheelchair propulsion. Eur J Appl Physiol 90:153–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Glaser RM, Sawka MN, Young RE, Suryaprasad AG (1980) Applied physiology for wheelchair design. J Physiol 48:41–44

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lenton JP, Fowler N, van der Woude L, Goosey-Tolfrey VL (2008) Efficiency of wheelchair propulsion and effects of strategy. Int J Sports Med 29:384–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lenton JP, Van der Woude L, Fowler N, Goosey-Tolfrey VL (2009) Effects of arm frequency during synchronous and asynchronous wheelchair propulsion on efficiency. Int J Sports Med 30(4):233–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Faupin A, Borel B, Meyer C, Gorce P, Watelain E (2013) Effects of synchronous versus asynchronous mode of propulsion on wheelchair basketball sprinting. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 8:496–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Lenton JP, Van der Woude L, Fowler N, Nicholson G, Goosey-Tolfrey V (2014) Hand-rim forces and gross mechanical efficiency in asynchronous and synchronous wheelchair propulsion: a comparison. Int J Sports Med 35:223–231

    Google Scholar 

  10. Boninger ML, Baldwin M, Cooper RA, Koontz A, Chan L (2000) Manual wheelchair pushrim biomechanics and axle position. Arch Phys Med Rehab 81:608–613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (2014) Functions of the classification commission. IOP publishing IWBF. http://www.iwbf.org/index.php/2014-08-31-08-38-47/2014-08-31-08-39-32/functions-of-the-classification-commission. Accessed 12 July 2016

  12. Cowan RE, Boninger ML, Sawatzky BJ, Mazoyer BD, Cooper RA (2008) Preliminary outcomes of the smartwheel users’ group database: a proposed framework for clinicians to objectively evaluate manual wheelchair propulsion. Arch Phys Med Rehab 89:260–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Mason BS, van der Woude LHV, Lenton JP, Goosey-Tolfrey VL (2012) Effects of wheel and hand-rim size on sub-maximal propulsion in wheelchair athletes. Med Sci Sports Exercise 44:126–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Three Rivers Holdings LLC (2013) SmartWheel user’s guide 2014. Mesa, Arizona

    Google Scholar 

  15. Asato K, Cooper RA, Robertson RN, Ster JF (1993) SMARTWheel: development and testing of a system for measuring manual wheelchair propulsion dynamics. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 40:1320–1324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Cooper RA, Robertson RN, Van Sickle DP, Boninger ML (1997) Methods for determining three-dimensional wheelchair pushrim forces and moments: a technical note. J Rehabil Res Dev 34:162–170

    Google Scholar 

  17. Robertson RN, Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Shimada SD (1996) Pushrim forces and joint kinetics during wheelchair propulsion. Arch Phys Med Rehab 77:856–864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Brasile FM (1986) Wheelchair basketball skills proficiencies versus disability classification. Adapt Phys Act Q 3:6–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Vanlandewijck Y, Spaepen A, Lysens R (1995) Relationship between the level of physical impairment and sports performance in elite wheelchair basketball athletes. Adapt Phys Act Q 12:139–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Niesing R, Eijskoot F, Kranse R, den Ouden AH, Storm J, Veeger HEJ, van der Woude LHV, Snijders CJ (1990) Computer-controlled wheelchair ergometer. Med Biol Eng Comput 28:329–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Woude van der LHV, Groot de S, Hollander AP, Ingen Schenau van GJ, Rozendal RH (1986) Wheelchair ergonomics and physiological testing of prototypes. Ergonomics 29:1561–1573

  22. Veeger HEJ, Van der Woude L, Rozendal RH (1989) Wheelchair propulsion technique at different speeds. Scand J Rehabil Med 21:197–203

    Google Scholar 

  23. Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Shimada SD, Rudy TE (1997) Shoulder and elbow motion during two speeds of wheelchair propulsion: a description using a local coordinate system. J Spinal Cord Med 35:135–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Vegter RJ, Lamoth CJ, de Groot S, Veeger DH, van der Woude LH (2013) Variability in bimanual wheelchair propulsion: consistency of two instrumented wheels during handrim wheelchair propulsion on a motor driven treadmill. J Neuroeng Rehabil 10:9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Robertson RN, Shimada SD (1997) Three-dimensional pushrim forces during two speeds of wheelchair propulsion. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 76:420–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Dallmeijer AJ, Van der Woude L, Veeger HE, Hollander AP (1998) Effectiveness of force application in manual wheelchair propulsion in persons with spinal cord injuries. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 77:213–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Rozendaal RH, Veeger HEJ, Van der Woude L (2000) The push force pattern in manual wheelchair propulsion as a balance between cost and effect. J Biomech 36:239–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Veeger HEJ (1999) Biomechanics of manual wheelchair propulsion. In: Van der Woude LH, Hopman MT, van Kemenade CH (eds) Biomedical aspects of manual wheelchair propulsion: The state of the art II. Amsterdam, pp 86–95

  29. Veeger HEJ, Van der Woude L, Rozendaal RH (1992) Effect of handrim velocity on mechanical efficiency in wheelchair propulsion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24:100–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. van der Scheer JW, de Groot S, Vegter RJ, Veeger DH, van der Woude LH (2014) Can a 15 m-overground wheelchair sprint be used to assess wheelchair-specific anaerobic work capacity? Med Eng Phys 36:432–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the athletes and their coaches for their participation in this study. Warm thanks as well to the “Fédération Française Handisport” (FFH) and the “Comité Régional Handisport Côte d’Azur” (CRH CA) for collaborating in this study. We also thank the “Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance” (INSEP) and the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for their financial contribution.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UFR Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives (STAPS), Université de Toulon, LAMHESS, EA 6312, Bât. K, Avenue de l’Université, BP 20132, 83957, La Garde, France

    Marjolaine Astier, Jean Marc Vallier & Arnaud Faupin

  2. Université Picardie Jules Verne, APERE, EA 3300, 80000, Amiens, France

    Thierry Weissland

  3. EA 4497 GRCTH, CIC 1429, CHU Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France

    Didier Pradon

  4. Université de Valenciennes, LAMIH, UMR CNRS 8201, 59313, Valenciennes, France

    Eric Watelain

Authors
  1. Marjolaine Astier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thierry Weissland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean Marc Vallier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Didier Pradon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Eric Watelain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Arnaud Faupin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marjolaine Astier.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Astier, M., Weissland, T., Vallier, J.M. et al. Effects of synchronous versus asynchronous push modes on performance and biomechanical parameters in elite wheelchair basketball. Sports Eng 21, 43–51 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-017-0245-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-017-0245-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation