Developing additional competition classes for athletes with intellectual impairments: Conceptual approach and efficacy of an ICF derived measure.

The purpose of para sport classification systems is to minimize the impact of impairment on competition outcome. Currently, athletes with intellectual impairment (II) compete in one class, regardless of the extent of activity limitation resulting from their impairment. Consequently, athletes with II that cause relatively minor difficulty in sport have a competitive advantage over athletes who have intellectual impairments that cause more significant advantage. This research investigated the efficacy of a measure of health-related functional impairment, derived from the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), as a tool to classify athletes with intellectual impairments (II) into groups with impairments that cause similar activity limitation. The first study used a Delphi technique to identify the most relevant codes within the ICF from which a measure of impairment presence and severity was derived. The second study investigated whether the measure could discriminate between groups of II athletes organized into three competition groups, and whether these groups could be predicted by ICF score. The ICF-based questionnaire shows promise as a conceptual approach and as a tool in this context, but this is a preliminary step before establishing a sport-specific approach to classification.

Conceptual model of sport-specific classification for para-athletes with intellectual impairment.

The present paper describes the conceptual basis of evidence-based classification of para-athletes with intellectual impairment (II). An extensive description of the theoretical and conceptual foundation of the system as currently conceived is provided, as are examples of its applications in the three sports included in the Paralympic programme for II-athletes in 2020 (i.e., athletics, swimming and table tennis). Evidence-based classification for II-athletes is driven by two central questions: i. How can intellectual impairment be substantiated in a valid and reliable way, and ii. Does intellectual impairment limit optimal sport proficiency? Evolution of the system and current best practice for addressing these questions are described, and suggestions for future research and development are provided. Challenges of understanding and assessing a complex (multifaceted and intersectional) impairment in the context of sport also are considered.

Impact of the talent development environment on the wellbeing and burnout of Caribbean youth track and field athletes.

This study examined the perceived talent development environment (TDE) of youth track and field athletes within the Caribbean region and explores the relationship with their subjective wellbeing and burnout levels. A sample of 400 Caribbean youth track and field athletes (male = 198, and female = 202; age 13-20 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Athletes responded to a survey which included the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ-5), the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Structural equation modelling showed that a positive and supportive TDE was associated with better athlete wellbeing and lower athlete burnout. Moreover, gender and hours of training moderated relationships of athletes' perceptions of their development environment with wellbeing and burnout levels respectively. Furthermore, there was a positive association between the support network and athlete wellbeing, while holistic quality preparation was negatively associated with athlete burnout. Development environments perceived as supportive and geared towards a holistic athlete-centred approach were associated with better athlete wellbeing and lower burnout.

Injury frequency and characteristics (location, type, cause and severity) differed significantly among athletics ('track and field') disciplines during 14 international championships (2007-2018): implications for medical service planning.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse differences between athletic disciplines in the frequency and characteristics of injuries during international athletics championships. METHODS: Study design, injury definition and data collection procedures were similar during the 14 international championships (2007-2018). National medical teams and local organising committee physicians reported all newly incurred injuries daily on a standardised injury report form. Results were presented as number of injuries and number of injuries per 1000 registered athletes, separately for male and female athletes, and for each discipline. RESULTS: From a total of 8925 male and 7614 female registered athletes, 928 injuries were reported in male and 597 in female athletes. The discipline accounting for the highest proportion of injuries was sprints, for both men (24%) and women (26%). The number of injuries per 1000 registered athletes varied between disciplines for men and women: highest in combined events for male athletes (235 (95% CI 189 to 281)) and female athletes (212 (95% CI 166 to 257)), and lowest for male throwers (47 (95% CI 35 to 59)) and female throwers (32 (95% CI 21 to 43)) and for female race walkers (42 (95% CI 19 to 66)). Injury characteristics varied significantly between disciplines for location, type, cause and severity in male and female athletes. Thigh muscle injuries were the main diagnoses in the disciplines sprints, hurdles, jumps, combined events and race walking, lower leg muscle injuries in marathon running, lower leg skin injury in middle and long distance running, and trunk muscle and lower leg muscle injuries in throws. CONCLUSIONS: Injury characteristics differed substantially between disciplines during international athletics championships. Strategies for medical service provision (eg, staff, facilities) during athletics championships should be discipline specific and be prepared for targeting the main injuries in each discipline.

Radiolabeling of cidofovir with technetium-99m and biodistribution studies

Radiolabeling cidofovir with technetium-99m (99mTc-CDV) is an innovative procedure that enables real-time monitoring of the drug. Essays were performed in vitro, showing high radiolabel stability within 24 h. Blood clearance, biodistribution studies, and scintigraphic images were performed in healthy mice in order to evaluate the profile of the drug in vivo. 99mTc-CDV showed biphasic blood circulation time and significant kidney uptake, indicating that 99mTc-CDV is preferentially eliminated by the renal route. Bones also showed important uptake throughout the experiment. In summary, cidofovir was successfully labeled with technetium-99m and might be used in further studies to track the drug.

Evaluating the predictability of distance race performance in NCAA cross country and track and field from high school race times in the United States.

Successful recruiting for collegiate track & field athletes has become a more competitive and essential component of coaching. This study aims to determine the relationship between race performances of distance runners at the United States high school and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) levels. Conditional inference classification tree models were built and analysed to predict the probability that runners would qualify for the NCAA Division I National Cross Country Meet and/or the East or West NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Preliminary Round based on their high school race times in the 800 m, 1600 m, and 3200 m. Prediction accuracies of the classification trees ranged from 60.0 to 76.6 percent. The models produced the most reliable estimates for predicting qualifiers in cross country, the 1500 m, and the 800 m for females and cross country, the 5000 m, and the 800 m for males. NCAA track & field coaches can use the results from this study as a guideline for recruiting decisions. Additionally, future studies can apply the methodological foundations of this research to predicting race performances set at different metrics, such as national meets in other countries or Olympic qualifications, from previous race data.

Differences in muscle mechanical properties between elite power and endurance athletes: a comparative study.

The aim of this study was to compare muscle mechanical properties (using tensiomyography-TMG) and jumping performance of endurance and power athletes and to quantify the associations between TMG parameters and jumping performance indices. Forty-one high-level track and field athletes from power (n = 22; mean ± SD age, height, and weight were 27.2 ± 3.6 years; 180.2 ± 5.4 cm; and 79.4 ± 8.6 kg, respectively) and endurance (endurance runners and triathletes; n = 19; mean ± SD age, height, and weight were 27.1 ± 6.9 years; 169.6 ± 9.8 cm; 62.2 ± 13.1 kg, respectively) specialties had the mechanical properties of their rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) assessed by TMG. Muscle displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), and delay time (Td) were retained for analyses. Furthermore, they performed squat jumps (SJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), and drop jumps to assess reactive strength index (RSI), using a contact platform. Comparisons between groups were performed using differences based on magnitudes, and associations were quantified by the Spearman's ρ correlation. Power athletes showed almost certain higher performance in all jumping performance indices when compared with endurance athletes (SJ = 44.9 ± 4.1 vs. 30.7 ± 6.8 cm; CMJ = 48.9 ± 4.5 vs. 33.6 ± 7.2 cm; RSI = 2.19 ± 0.58 vs. 0.84 ± 0.39, for power and endurance athletes, mean ± SD, respectively; 00/00/100, almost certain, p ≤ 0.05), along with better contractile indices reflected by lower Dm, Tc, and Td (Tc BF = 14.3 ± 2.3 vs. 19.4 ± 3.3 milliseconds; Dm BF = 1.67 ± 1.05 vs. 4.23 ± 1.75 mm; Td BF = 16.8 ± 1.6 vs. 19.6 ± 1.3 milliseconds; Tc RF = 18.3 ± 2.8 vs. 22.9 ± 4.0 milliseconds; Dm RF = 4.98 ± 3.71 vs. 8.88 ± 3.45 mm; Td RF = 17.5 ± 1.0 vs. 20.9 ± 1.6 milliseconds, for power and endurance athletes, mean ± SD, respectively; 00/00/100, almost certain, p ≤ 0.05). Moderate correlations (Spearman's ρ between -0.61 and -0.72) were found between TMG and jumping performance. The power group presented better performance in vertical jumps, supporting the validity of these tests to distinguish between endurance and power athletes. Furthermore, TMG can discriminate the "athlete-type" using noninvasive indices moderately correlated with explosive lower-body performance. In summary, both vertical jump and TMG assessments could be useful in identifying and selecting young athletes.

Performance of elite seated discus throwers in F30s classes: part I: does whole body positioning matter?

BACKGROUND: Studies on the relationship between performance and design of the throwing frame have been limited and therefore require further investigation. OBJECTIVES: The specific objectives were to provide benchmark information about performance and whole body positioning of male athletes in F30s classes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. METHODS: A total of 48 attempts performed by 12 stationary discus throwers in F33 and F34 classes during seated discus throwing event of 2002 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships were analysed in this study. The whole body positioning included overall throwing posture (i.e. number of points of contact between the thrower and the frame, body position, throwing orientation and throwing side) and lower limb placements (i.e. seating arrangements, points of contact on the both feet, type of attachment of both legs and feet). RESULTS: Three (25%), five (42%), one (8%) and three (25%) athletes used from three to six points of contact, respectively. Seven (58%) and five (42%) athletes threw from a standing or a seated position, respectively. A straddle, a stool or a chair was used by six (50%), four (33%) or two (17%) throwers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides key information for a better understanding of the interaction between throwing technique of elite seated throwers and their throwing frame. Clinical relevance This study aimed at improving the understanding of the relationship between athletic performance and the design of the throwing frame for seated discus throwers, with a particular emphasis on the description of whole body positioning. This knowledge is particularly important in the current debate around general principles underlying the design of throwing frames and classification of athletes with a disability, including those with lower limb amputation.

Performance of elite seated discus throwers in F30s classes: part II: does feet positioning matter?

BACKGROUND: Studies on the relationship between performance and design of the throwing frame have been limited. Part I provided only a description of the whole body positioning. OBJECTIVES: The specific objectives were (a) to benchmark feet positioning characteristics (i.e. position, spacing and orientation) and (b) to investigate the relationship between performance and these characteristics for male seated discus throwers in F30s classes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. METHODS: A total of 48 attempts performed by 12 stationary discus throwers in F33 and F34 classes during seated discus throwing event of 2002 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships were analysed in this study. Feet positioning was characterised by tridimensional data of the front and back feet position as well as spacing and orientation corresponding to the distance between and the angle made by both feet, respectively. RESULTS: Only 4 of 30 feet positioning characteristics presented a coefficient correlation superior to 0.5, including the feet spacing on mediolateral and anteroposterior axes in F34 class as well as the back foot position and feet spacing on mediolateral axis in F33 class. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided key information for a better understanding of the interaction between throwing technique of elite seated throwers and their throwing frame. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study aimed at improving the understanding of the relationship between performance and the design of the throwing frame of seated discus throwers, with a particular emphasis on the importance of feet positioning. This knowledge is particularly important in the current debate around general principles underlying design of throwing frame and classification of athletes with a disability, including those with lower limb amputation.