The physiological response of athletes with impairments in wheelchair basketball game

Purpose. the aim of the study was to analyse the physiological response of wheelchair basketball (Wb) athletes related to type of impairment and functional classification in game situations. Methods. Overall, 15 male players from the Polish National Wheelchair basketball team were observed during friendly and championships games (2017 and 2018). Heart rate (peak and average: HRpeak, HRav) and the number of sprints were monitored for each player per a full game with Polar team Pro. For each athlete, 5 HR zones were calculated based on peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, HRpeak, body weight, and age (aerobic laboratory test). Heart rate reserve (HRR) and percentage of HRR (%HRR) were established. Results were compared between athletes related to the type of impairment (spinal cord injuries and other physical impairments) and functional classification (group A: 1.0–2.5 points; group b: 3.0–4.5 points). Results. the results showed the specificity of Wb games, i.e. all players were found in all HR zones with different contribution. Group A athletes played less than those form group b in the 5 HR zone (15% and 21%, respectively), had significantly lower HRpeak, HRav, HRR, %HRR, and did more sprints. Conclusions. the study confirmed a differential specificity of a Wb game. significant differences were observed in the physiological response between Wb athletes representing different functional levels. this knowledge is important to plan preseason conditioning exercises for individual Wb athletes. Further studies are needed to better understand the physiological response of Wb players.