Quantifying the physiological and movement demands of wheelchair basketball: Insights from competition and training

Wheelchair basketball (WB) is an intermittent team sport that has been part of the Paralympic Games since their inception. Athletes with a wide range of impairments, are eligible to compete such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and amputations. To ensure fair play, a classification system is used to assign players to classes based on the severity of their impairment and its functional impact on WB-specific performance. Previous research has explored the physiological and movement demands of training and competition in male players; there is a notable lack of focus on female players and those competing at the elite level. Furthermore, limited evidence exists on the chronic training practices of elite WB athletes, or how individual athletes adapt to these demands over time. Gaining knowledge in these areas is essential to inform evidence-based training strategies and best prepare athletes for the demands of international competition. This thesis aims to address these knowledge gaps in females by examining the demands of competition and training, evaluating the effectiveness of common training methods and exploring the individual responses to training loads. Chapter Four examined the differences between fixed and individualised speed zones in female WB athletes. Current methods for quantifying external load (EL) in WB lack standardisation, with researchers often applying varying fixed speed thresholds to define intensity zones, leading to inconsistent interpretations of player workload. Substantial disparities between methods were found, especially at higher playing and classification levels, likely due to variations in peak speed capabilities. Given the wide variability in physical function due to classification in WB, the use of fixed thresholds may affect the accurate quantification of EL, though neither method showed a stronger relationship with internal load (IL). Chapter Five compared EL and IL across training, national and international competition. Training consistently fell short of competition in terms of intensity, but volume-based measures were higher in training compared to competition. Differences between competition levels and between training games and international games were minimal, suggesting simulated games in training may be used strategically to replicate competition demands. Although many EL and IL variables aligned with existing male WB data, variables such as distance covered and peak rotational speed were lower in the female population. Chapter Six examined changes in load demands across game quarters and tournament games The ability to sustain performance across four quarters within-games and throughout a 7-10 day tournament is critical in WB. Increased volume-based and decreased intensity-based metrics were revealed from the first to fourth quarter and from the first to fifth game. These findings provide practical insights for coaches to inform substitution strategies and manage playing time effectively across a tournament. Chapter Seven focused on longitudinal training in elite female WB athletes, tracking a 12-13 week preseason period. Performance testing before and after the training block revealed meaningful improvements, particularly in short-distance sprint performance and aerobic physiological parameters. The acute: chronic workload ratio emerged as the most informative training load indicator, showing some associations with wellbeing outcomes such as fatigue and readiness, though individual responses varied considerably. Additionally, substantial variation in menstrual status was observed within the small cohort, highlighting the need for individualised athlete monitoring approaches in WB. This thesis offers the first detailed examination of the training practices and competition demands of elite female WB players. Across all Chapters, substantial individual variability was observed, with notable differences across playing and classification levels. The consistent disparity between training and competition intensities highlights a potential risk of under-preparation for international tournaments. National competitions and training games may serve as effective tools to help address this gap. By providing a comprehensive overview of sport-specific demands at the elite female level, this thesis informs the development of targeted training practices to optimise preparation and performance, while also providing valuable insights into the physiological profiles within this population.