Analysis of velocity and direction of trunk movement in wheelchair basketball athletes

OBJECTIVE: Postural control of the trunk is important to stabilize the entire body and to generate muscle force during sports activities. When the trunk is stable, it is easier and safer to transfer applied forces along the body to perform any motor task because it enhances muscle action and reduces joint loads. Postural control of the trunk is important to stabilize the entire body and to generate muscle force during sports activities. The aim of this study is to verify the velocity and direction of trunk movement in wheelchair basketball athletes. METHOD: Participants were 26 wheelchair basketball athletes, they were tested on the NeuroCom Balance Master System, protocol: Rhythmic Weight Shift. They were asked to sway the entire body to the right, left, forward and backward. Trials evaluated these movements in low, medium and high velocities. RESULT: Movement velocity was very significantly affected by task speed and task direction. The highest movement velocity was observed for the fast task and for the left/right direction. There was no interaction between the task and its direction. CONCLUSION: Wheelchair basketball athletes moved their body faster in the left/right direction. This result suggests that postural control is direction-dependent for the wheelchair-bound individual.