USING UNDERWATER 3D KINEMATICS TO IMPROVE THE PARALYMPIC SWIMMING CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Authors

Brendan Burkett, University of the Sunshine CoastFollow
Luke Hogarth, University of the Sunshine CoastFollow
Peter Van de Vliet, International Paralympic ComitteeFollow
Carl J. Payton, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityFollow

Category

Olympic

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Swimming is a fundamental sport at the Olympic and Paralympic games, with the Paralympic classification system being the key difference between these games. To improve the accuracy of the classification system this case study investigated differences in the underwater hand kinematics of the affected and unaffected limb of an elite Para swimmer with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. In this case study, hemiplegic cerebral palsy caused impairments in strength, motor coordination and range of motion that affected hand speeds and trajectory paths during the underwater stroke phases. This work illustrates the benefit of using objective impairment and sport-specific measurements to gain insights into the impact that health conditions have on performance to guide Para swimming classification. This biomechanical analysis lays the foundations for the future improvement in international Para classification system.

Recommended Citation

Burkett, Brendan; Hogarth, Luke; Van de Vliet, Peter; and Payton, Carl J. (2018) "USING UNDERWATER 3D KINEMATICS TO IMPROVE THE PARALYMPIC SWIMMING CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 161.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol36/iss1/161