Wheelchair Rugby Sprint Force-Velocity Modeling Using Inertial Measurement Units and Sport Specific Parameters: A Proof of Concept

Abstract

Background: Para-sports such as wheelchair rugby have seen increased use of inertial measurement units (IMU) to measure wheelchair mobility. The accessibility and accuracy of IMUs have enabled the quantification of many wheelchair metrics and the ability to further advance analyses such as force-velocity (FV) profiling. However, the FV modeling approach has not been refined to include wheelchair specific parameters. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare wheelchair rugby sprint FV profiles, developed from a wheel-mounted IMU, using current mono-exponential modeling techniques against a dynamic resistive force model with wheelchair specific resistance coefficients. Methods: Eighteen athletes from a national wheelchair rugby program performed 2 × 45 m all-out sprints on an indoor hardwood court surface. Results: Velocity modelling displayed high agreeability, with an average RMSE of 0.235 ± 0.07 m/s−1 and r2 of 0.946 ± 0.02. Further, the wheelchair specific resistive force model resulted in greater force and power outcomes, better aligning with previously collected measures. Conclusions: The present study highlights the proof of concept that a wheel-mounted IMU combined with wheelchair-specific FV modelling provided estimates of force and power that better account for the resistive forces encountered by wheelchair rugby athletes.