title: Activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby players during competition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the activity profiles of elite wheelchair rugby (WCR) players and establish classification-specific arbitrary speed zones. In addition, indicators of fatigue during full matches were explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five elite WCR players from 11 national teams were monitored using a radio-frequency-based, indoor tracking system across 2 international tournaments. Players who participated in complete quarters (n = 75) and full matches (n = 25) were included and grouped by their International Wheelchair Rugby Federation functional classification: groups I (0.5), II (1.0-1.5), III (2.0-2.5), and IV (3.0-3.5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a typical quarter, significant increases in total distance (m), relative distance (m/min), and mean speed (m/s) were associated with an increase in classification group (P < .001), with the exception of groups III and IV. However, group IV players achieved significantly higher peak speeds (3.82 ± 0.31 m/s) than groups I (2.99 ± 0.28 m/s), II (3.44 ± 0.26 m/s), and III (3.67 ± 0.32 m/s). Groups I and II differed significantly in match intensity during very-low/low-speed zones and the number of high-intensity activities in comparison with groups III and IV (P < .001). Full-match analysis revealed that activity profiles did not differ significantly between quarters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Notable differences in the volume of activity were displayed across the functional classification groups. However, the specific on-court requirements of defensive (I and II) and offensive (III and IV) match roles appeared to influence the intensity of match activities, and consequently training prescription should be structured accordingly.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Barry S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perrat
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Laurie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: Victoria L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Goosey-Tolfrey
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis; D005538:Football / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014910:Wheelchairs