Is the Wheelchair Fencing Classification Fair Enough? a Kinematic Analysis Among World-Class Wheelchair Fencers
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European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 6(1), 17-29 © European Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, 2013 IS THE WHEELCHAIR FENCING CLASSIFICATION FAIR ENOUGH? A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS AMONG WORLD-CLASS WHEELCHAIR FENCERS Ying-ki Fung1,Derwin King-Chung Chan2,Kim M. Caudwell2,Bik-chu Chow3 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 2. Dep. of Physical Education, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia 3. Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong The purpose of this study was to employ a kinematic analysis to determine the extent to which the Wheelchair Fencing Classification (WFC) can reliably predict and classify wheelchair fencers’ trunk functional ability, during WFC functional classification assessment condition (without supporting bar) and competition condition (with supporting bar). Participants were 14 world-class wheelchair fencers from Hong Kong, with 9 WFC category A and 5 WFC category B fencers. Participants performed wheelchair fencing actions (i.e., lunge and fast-return) in two conditions (i.e., standard WFC testing condition and wheelchair fencing in competition condition). The maximum trunk velocity and maximum trunk angle (i.e., range of movement) were motion-captured and analyzed by kinematic analysis. The results showed that WFC classification significantly correlated with the trunk functional ability in the WFC testing condition, but not in the competition condition. The functional ability indices were significantly higher in the competition condition than that in the WFC testing condition for fencers of both category A and B. The trunk functional ability of category A fencers was significantly higher than that of category B fencers in a WFC testing condition, but such patterns were not observed in the competition condition. We concluded that the WFC test might not be fair and reliable enough to classify fencers according to the impact of their impairments on wheelchair fencing competitive performance. Is the Wheelchair Fencing Classification Fair from disability classification in a clinical setting Enough? which focuses on physical symptoms (Tweedy & Use of kinematic analysis among world-class Vanlandewijck, 2011). The use of functional wheelchair fencers and in disability sport allows classification systems allows disability athletes to disabled individuals to participate in competition be categorized into different groups according to under fair and equitable condition (IWFC, 2008; their functional ability in respective sports Tweedy, 2002; Tweedy & Vanlandewijck, 2011). (Tweedy & Vanlandewijck, 2011). Indeed, due to Thus, it is important to have a functional the uniqueness and specific development of each classification system to ensure equitability disability sport event, no universal criterion can (Tweedy & Vanlandewijck, 2011; Wu & be defined for disability categorization across Williams, 1999). In disability sports, the different sports; this raises issues of the reliability classification of functional ability takes into and validity of methods determining disability account the extent to which impairments affect classification (Doyle, et al., 2004). sporting outcomes – this is conceptually different Correspondingly, the current study employed a 17 EUJAPA, Vol. 6, No. 1 Ying-Ki Fung at al. Wheelchair fencing classification kinematic analysis to examine if the disability meaning it may not be suitable for classifying the classification system of wheelchair fencing functional ability of disabled individuals provided a good indication of players’ functional (Beckman & Tweedy, 2009). It remains unclear ability in a competition setting. how well the existing classification systems reflect the functional ability of disability players Disability Classification in Disability Sports in Paralympics summer sports (Chow, Chae, & Research consistently shows disability sports Crawford, 2000; Chow, Kuenster, & Lim, 2003; employ taxonomical methods of classification for Chow & Mindock, 1999; Frossard, Smeathers, equitable competition across athletes (Porretta & O'Riordan, & Goodman, 2007). Sherrill, 2005; Tweedy, 2002; Vanlandewijck & Wheelchair Fencing and Disability Evaggelinou, 2003; Vanlandewijck & Chappel, Classification. 1996; Williamson, 1997; Wu & Williams, 1999). Wheelchair fencing is similar to able-bodied However, few attempts have been made to utilise fencing, yet static, with fencers competing in evidence-based methods to compare the wheelchairs fixed in place by metal frames and functional ability of players in different clamps to prevent tipping while maximising functional categories. Wu and Williams’ (1999) upper body movement (International Wheelchair study on the performance of swimmers in the and Amputee Sports Federation [IWAS], 2012). 1996 Paralympic games found swimmers with Players compete in foil, epée, and sabre (male varying levels of disability exhibited different only) events, with the aim of scoring 15 points levels of sporting performance, with swimmers against their target opponents in a three minute of distinct types of impairment having similar period, where a point is awarded for each strike chances of winning. The authors concluded that on the opponents’ target area (IWAS, 2012). classification of swimmers according to their Wheelchair fencers are classified into functional ability was reasonable. However, it is competitive categories through their scores on six important to note that the study retrieved World Fencing Classification (WFC) functional performance data (e.g., time and position) from tests. The scores on these tests determine their the competition only, and it is possible that this competitive category (IWAS, 2011). As the data (i.e., sporting outcome) may not be entirely attacking or defensive actions inherent in comparable to functional ability as could be wheelchair fencing require trunk movement, the assessed by a number of kinematic methods (e.g., classification tests adopt a point-score system to range, speed, and power of motion). Recently, assess trunk functional ability in terms of the Beckman and Tweedy (2009) developed a test range, strength, and speed of trunk movement battery to evaluate the functional ability of and balance (IWAS, 2011). Points range from 0 to disability runners (comprising a thirty metre 3, with 0 indicating no function and 3 points sprint, standing broad jump, four bounds, a ten indicating normal execution (IWAS, 2011). metre skip, running [in place], and split jumps). Fencers with higher scores, and with greater While the test battery exhibited good reliability trunk functional ability, are classified into and validity in predicting running performance, it category A, while others with lower trunk was only tested among non-disabled individuals, functional ability are classified into category B 18 EUJAPA, Vol. 6, No. 1 Ying-Ki Fung at al. Wheelchair fencing classification (category C is used for even lower trunk promote participation in sport by people with functional ability, however this category is disabilities by minimising the impact of eligible combined with category B in IWC competitions). impairment types on the outcomes of competition” It is important to note that functional trunk (p. 259). The authors advocate for research that classification relies on the subjective judgement incorporates objective and reliable measures of of appointed classifiers, rather than objective and both impairment and functional ability (Tweedy scientific assessment methods (e.g., motion & Vanlandewijck, 2011). Methods used to analysis). In this case, the WFC result can classify the trunk functional ability of wheelchair potentially be influenced by the individual fencers, which subsequently determine differences in classifier experience, sensory-bias, competitive classes, have been questioned in and the personal quantification of the scale regard to their fairness and ecological validity in anchors (e.g., “weak execution”) among competitive wheelchair fencing settings (Fung, classifiers. Chow, Fong & Chan, 2010). The obtained WFC In order to determine how the impairments of test score and functional ability classification trunk movement might affect wheelchair fencing may not equate to ability in wheelchair fencing performance, classification tests for wheelchair competition. Kinematic analysis therefore offers fencers should evaluate their trunk functional an objective examination of body movement ability in a condition equivalent to a standard parameters (e.g., trunk functional ability), wheelchair fencing competition. During the WFC offering reliable information about the degree to tests, fencers are required to sit on their own which disability impairs performance in specially-made wheelchairs without holding the Paralympic competition. rims, spoke or any other support (IWAS, 2011). However, in competition, wheelchair fencers are The Present Study allowed to make use of a supporting bar, fixed to The aim of this study was to preliminarily the wheelchair (see Figure 1). Although the use investigate if the trunk functional ability assessed of supporting bar is commonly applied to other in the WFC condition (without supporting bar) disability sport events (e.g., wheelchair shot-put) was comparable to that in the competition (IWFC) for assisting players’ balance (Chow, Chae, & condition (with supporting bar). In order to Crawford, 2000; Chow, Kuenster, & Lim, 2003), examine the trunk functional ability in the two it may also compensate the effect of lower