In wheelchair rugby (WR) athletes with tetraplegia, wheelchair performance may be impaired due to (partial) loss of innervation of upper extremity and trunk muscles, and low blood pressure (BP). The objective was to assess the effects of electrical stimulation (ES)-induced co-contraction of trunk muscles on trunk stability, arm force/power, BP, and WR performance.
In this thesis we analyzed clinimetric measurement properties of physical fitness tests in wheelchair-using youth with SB. Furthermore, the amount of physical behavior in wheelchair-using youth with SB was quantified and associations with age, gender, VO2peak and Hoffer classification were evaluated. Finally, we described the factors associated with physical behavior in youth with SB and youth with physical disabilities, after which the evidence of interventions to improve physical behavior in youth with physical disabilities was analyzed. This last chapter presents the theoretical and clinical implications. At the end, methodological considerations and directions for further research will be discussed after which the overall conclusion is presented.
Objective: To determine content validity of the Muscle Power Sprint Test (MPST) and construct validity and reliability of the MPST, 10x5 Meter Sprint Test (10x5MST), slalom test and one stroke push test (1SPT) in wheelchair-using youth with spina bifida (SB). Design: Clinimetric study Setting: Rehabilitation centers, SB outpatient services, private practices Participants: A convenience sample of 53 children (5-19 years, 32 boys / 21 girls) with SB who use a manual wheelchair. Participants were recruited in the Netherlands through rehabilitation centers, SB outpatient services, pediatric physical therapists and the BOSK (Association of and by parents of children, adolescents and adults with a disability). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Construct validity of the the MPST was determined by comparing results with the arm-cranking Wingate Anaerobic test (WAnT) using paired t-tests and Pearson Correlation Coefficients, while content validity was assessed using time based criteria for anaerobic testing . Construct validity of the 10x5MST, slalom test and 1SPT was analyzed by hypothesis testing using Pearson Correlation Coefficients and Multiple Regression. For reliability, Intra Class Correlation coefficients (ICC) and smallest detectable changes (SDC) were calculated. Results: For the MPST, mean exercise time of four sprints was 28.1 sec. (±6.6 sec.). Correlations between the MPST and WAnT were high (r>0.72, p<0.01). Excellent correlations were found between the 10x5MST and slalom test (r=0.93, p<0.01), while correlations between the10x5MST or slalom test and MPST and 1SPT were moderate (r=-0.56- -0.70; r=0.56, p<0.01). The 1SPT was explained for 38% by wheelchair mass (Beta -0.489) and total upper muscle strength (Beta 0.420). All ICCs were excellent (ICC>0.95) but the SDCs varied widely. Conclusions: The MPST, 10x5MST and slalom test are valid and reliable tests in wheelchair-using youth with SB for measuring respectively anaerobic performance or agility. For the 1SPT, both validity and reliability are questionable.
In dit project gaan we lokaal op vijf participerende revalidatiecentra rolstoelvaardigheidstraining implementeren en borgen in de zorg die de centra leveren aan kinderen in een handbewogen rolstoel. Daarnaast gaan we met de betrokken beroep- en patiëntenverenigingen exploreren wat er nodig is voor een landelijke implementatie van rolstoelvaardigheid voor kinderen.
