Thermoregulatory Responses during Competitive Wheelchair Rugby Match Play

Katy E Griggs; George Havenith; Michael J. Price; Barry S. Mason; Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey

doi:10.1055/s-0042-121263

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2017; 38(03): 177-183
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-121263

Physiology & Biochemistry

Thermoregulatory Responses during Competitive Wheelchair Rugby Match Play

Authors

Katy E Griggs

¹Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport and Exercise Health Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
George Havenith

²Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Michael J. Price

³Department of Biomolecular and Sports Science, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Barry S. Mason

¹Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport and Exercise Health Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey

¹Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport and Exercise Health Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a player’s physical impairment or activity profile was related to the amount of thermal strain experienced during wheelchair rugby match play. 17 elite wheelchair rugby players played a competitive match, whilst activity profiles, measures of core and skin temperature, heart rate and perceptual responses were taken. Players were divided into 2 groups depending on their physical impairment: players with a cervical spinal cord injury, (n=10) or non-spinal related physical impairment (n=7). Total distance was lower (4 842±324 vs. 5 541±316 m, p<0.01, ES=2.2) and mean speed slower (1.13±0.11 vs. 1.27±0.11 m∙s⁻¹, p<0.03, ES=1.3) in players with a spinal cord injury. Yet, the change in core temperature (1.6±0.4 vs. 0.7±0.3°C, p<0.01, ES=2.5) was significantly greater in players with a spinal cord injury. In conclusion, players with a spinal cord injury were under greater thermal strain during wheelchair rugby match play, as a result of their reduced heat loss capacity, due to their physical impairment and not because of their activity profile.

Key words

thermoregulation - spinal cord injury - tetraplegia - Paralympic sport

Full Text

References

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