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Shoulder biomechanics of para-table tennis: A case study of a standing class para-athlete with severe leg impairment
Citation
Kong, P. W., & Yam, J. W. (2022). Shoulder biomechanics of para-table tennis: A case study of a standing class para-athlete with severe leg impairment. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14, Article 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00536-9
Abstract
Background
Both able-bodied and Class 7 para-table tennis players compete while standing, but do they use the same techniques to hit the ball? This case study examined the shoulder joint kinematics of a highly skilled para-table tennis player with severe leg impairment.
Methods
One international level Class 7 male para-table tennis player was compared with a control group of 9 male, competitive university team players. Participants performed 15 trials of forehand and 15 trials of backhand topspin drives. Shoulder abduction/adduction angles and joint range of motion (ROM) were measured using an inertial measurement system.
Results
The joint ROM of the para-player was comparable to the control group in the forehand [para-player 38°, controls 32 (15)°] and slightly larger in backhand [para-player 35°, controls 24 (16)°]. Waveform analysis revealed significant differences in the entire forehand drives (p < .001) and the preparation (p < .001) and follow-through phases (p = .014) of the backhand drives.
Conclusions
Coaches should not simply instruct para-table tennis players to replicate the characteristics of able-bodied players. Depending on the nature of the physical impairment, para-players should optimise their movement strategies for successful performance.
Date Issued
2022
Journal
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
DOI
10.1186/s13102-022-00536-9
Dataset
https://doi.org/10.25340/R4/TDIAJS