Cost-effective power assessment in paralympic wheelchair athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.116796Keywords:
rolling resistance, performance, power, wheelchair athleteAbstract
Introduction: power measurement in sports is essential to enhance performance, but technological and economic limitations hinder its application in Paralympic contexts.
Objective: to develop and validate a power estimation method for wheelchair athletes, particularly during training on roller benches, without the need for expensive devices.
Methodology: coast-down tests were carried out on track and roller bench at different speeds (10, 15 and 20 km/h), measuring stopping distance and acceleration. Drag force, power, and handrim effort were calculated using vehicle dynamics equations.
Results: track values deviated only 3.8% from accelerometer data, validating the method. On roller benches, values matched those of track up to 12 km/h; at higher speeds, aerodynamic resistance caused noticeable deviations.
Discussion: findings align with previous studies on rolling resistance and wheelchair dynamics. The methodology allows realistic representation of effort during training.
Conclusions: a cost-effective and reliable solution for power estimation in Paralympic athletes is provided, with direct applications in training planning.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Talayero, Ignacio López-Moranchel, Raúl Díaz-López, Olga López-Torres
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