Marietta L van der Linden1, Sadaf Jahed2, Nicola Tennant3, Martine H G Verheul4. 1. Centre of Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK. Electronic address: mvanderlinden@qmu.ac.uk. 2. Centre of Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, Queen Margaret University, Queen Margaret University Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK. Electronic address: sadafajahed@gmail.com. 3. RaceRunning Scotland, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Nic.tennant@btinternet.com. 4. Human Performance Science Research Group, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Sport, Physical Education & Health Sciences, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK. Electronic address: martine.verheul@ed.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: RaceRunning enables athletes with limited or no walking ability to propel themselves independently using a three-wheeled running bike that has a saddle and a chest plate for support but no pedals. For RaceRunning to be included as a Para athletics event, an evidence-based classification system is required. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association between a range of impairment measures and RaceRunning performance. METHODS: The following impairment measures were recorded: lower limb muscle strength assessed using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), selective voluntary motor control assessed using the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE), spasticity recorded using both the Australian Spasticity Assessment Score (ASAS) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), passive range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremities and the maximum static step length achieved on a stationary bike (MSSL). Associations between impairment measures and 100-meter race speed were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Sixteen male and fifteen female athletes (27 with cerebral palsy), aged 23 (SD = 7) years, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels ranging from II to V, participated. The MSSL averaged over both legs and the ASAS, MAS, SCALE, and MMT summed over all joints and both legs, significantly correlated with 100 m race performance (rho: 0.40-0.54). Passive knee extension was the only ROM measure that was significantly associated with race speed (rho = 0.48). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lower limb spasticity, isometric leg strength, selective voluntary motor control and passive knee extension impact performance in RaceRunning athletes. This supports the potential use of these measures in a future evidence-based classification system.
OBJECTIVES: RaceRunning enables athletes with limited or no walking ability to propel themselves independently using a three-wheeled running bike that has a saddle and a chest plate for support but no pedals. For RaceRunning to be included as a Para athletics event, an evidence-based classification system is required. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association between a range of impairment measures and RaceRunning performance. METHODS: The following impairment measures were recorded: lower limb muscle strength assessed using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), selective voluntary motor control assessed using the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE), spasticity recorded using both the Australian Spasticity Assessment Score (ASAS) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), passive range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremities and the maximum static step length achieved on a stationary bike (MSSL). Associations between impairment measures and 100-meter race speed were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Sixteen male and fifteen female athletes (27 with cerebral palsy), aged 23 (SD = 7) years, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels ranging from II to V, participated. The MSSL averaged over both legs and the ASAS, MAS, SCALE, and MMT summed over all joints and both legs, significantly correlated with 100 m race performance (rho: 0.40-0.54). Passive knee extension was the only ROM measure that was significantly associated with race speed (rho = 0.48). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lower limb spasticity, isometric leg strength, selective voluntary motor control and passive knee extension impact performance in RaceRunning athletes. This supports the potential use of these measures in a future evidence-based classification system.
Authors: Marietta L Van der Linden; Petra E M Van Schie; Emma Hjalmarsson; Georgia Andreopoulou; Martine H G Verheul; Ferdinand Von Walden Journal: J Rehabil Med Date: 2022-03-01 Impact factor: 2.912
Authors: Sarah E Reedman; Leanne Sakzewski; Lynda McNamara; Catherine Sherrington; Emma Beckman; Kerry West; Stewart G Trost; Rachel Thomas; Mark D Chatfield; Iain Dutia; Alix Gennen; Bridget Dodds; Zoë Cotton; Roslyn N Boyd Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-04-29 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Emma Hjalmarsson; Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo; Cecilia Lidbeck; Alexandra Palmcrantz; Angel Jia; Ola Kvist; Eva Pontén; Ferdinand von Walden Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2020-03-27 Impact factor: 2.362