Validated field tests for wheelchair tennis players

AIM The aim of the research is to test the repeatability of the Wheelchair Lane Square Test (WLS), the Reverse Wheelchair Lane Square (RWLS) Test and the Twist Wheelchair and Sprint Test (T&S) in order to monitor the athlete’s condition and support the trainer in selecting a certain type of training. METHODS The sample group consisted of 13 athletes (11 males and 2 females) who had different disabilities for 22±15 years, aged 45±11 years, who played Wheelchair Tennis (WCT) players for 6±4 years and who have 2 training sessions per week. The bibliography consulted on similar experiences has allowed the creation of the following set of tests: 1. The Wheelchair Lane Square Test (WLS) is the measurement of the time required to follow, with forward pushes, a path in the shape of a square with sides of 4m. 2. Reverse Wheelchair Lane Square Test (RWLS): same as the previous test, but done with backward pushes. 3. Twist and Sprint Wheelchair Test (T&S): The subject is then asked to make three rotations of 360 ° around his/her longitudinal axis in alternate directions, starting in the direction of his/her choice. This is immediately followed by a 5m sprint and return to the starting line. The experimental protocol includes three days of testing. Each evaluation session is composed of a set of three tests (WLS, RWLS and T&S) separated by two minutes of recovery and repeated three times during the training session. RESULTS The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the variance between the tests (VT) and the variance between days (VD) were calculated. The standard error of the mean within the participants (SEMw) and between the participants (SEMb) were also quantified. The WLS test showed an ICC value of 98.34, a VD of 0.45 sec, a VT of 1.20 sec, an SEMw of 0.86 and an SEMb of 5.93 The RWLS test showed an ICC of 94.33, a VD of 3.55 sec, a VT of 2.12 sec, an SEMw of 1.65 and an SEMB of 8.77. The S & T tests showed an ICC value of 93.84, a VD of 3.46 sec, a VT of 2.70 sec, an SEMw of 1.39 and an SEMb of 6.08. CONCLUSION The ICC values obtained for each test showed an excellent repeatability.