title: The Functional Classification and Field Test Performance in Wheelchair Basketball Players.
abstract: Wheelchair basketball players are classified in four classes based on the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) system of competition. Thus, the aim of the study was to ascertain if the IWBF classification, the type of injury and the wheelchair experience were related to different performance field-based tests. Thirteen basketball players undertook anthropometric measurements and performance tests (hand dynamometry, 5 m and 20 m sprints, 5 m and 20 m sprints with a ball, a T-test, a Pick-up test, a modified 10 m Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, a maximal pass and a medicine ball throw). The IWBF class was correlated (p<0.05) to the hand dynamometry (r= 0.84), the maximal pass (r=0.67) and the medicine ball throw (r= 0.67). Whereas the years of dependence on the wheelchair were correlated to the velocity (p<0.01): 5 m (r= -0.80) and 20 m (r= -0.77) and agility tests (r= -0.77, p<0.01). Also, the 20 m sprint with a ball (r= 0.68) and the T-test (r= -0.57) correlated (p<0.05) with the experience in playing wheelchair basketball. Therefore, in this team the correlations of the performance variables differed when they were related to the disability class, the years of dependence on the wheelchair and the experience in playing wheelchair basketball. These results should be taken into account by the technical staff and coaches of the teams when assessing performance of wheelchair basketball players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology. Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Susana María
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yanci
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.affiliation: Adapted Sport Federation of Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.
authors.forename: Jurgi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olasagasti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Aduna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Badiola
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology. Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Iraia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bidaurrazaga-Letona
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Aitor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iturricastillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granados
keywords: agility; disability; endurance; speed; spinal cord injury; strength