Force-velocity profiling of elite wheelchair rugby players by manipulating rolling resistance over multiple wheelchair sprints

This study investigated the effect of increased rolling resistance on wheelchair sprint performance and the concomitant force-velocity characteristics. Thirteen wheelchair rugby (WCR) athletes completed five 15 s wheelchair sprints in their own rugby wheelchair on an instrumented dual-roller wheelchair ergometer. The first sprint was performed against a close to overground resistance and in each of the following sprints, the resistance increased with 80% of that resistance. A repeated-measures ANOVA examined differences between sprints. Subsequently, linear regression analyses examined the individual force-velocity relations and then, individual parabolic power output curves were modelled. Increased rolling resistance led to significantly lower velocities (-36%), higher propulsion forces (+150%) and higher power outputs (+83%). These differences were accompanied by a lower push frequency, higher push time, yet a constant recovery time and contact angle. The modelled linear regressions (R² = 0.71 ± 0.10) between force and velocity differed a lot in slope and intercept among individual athletes. The peak of the power output parabola (i.e., the optimal velocity) occurred on average at 3.1 ± 0.6 ms^-1. These individual force-velocity profiles can be used for training recommendations or technological changes to better exploit power generation capabilities of the WCR athletes’ musculoskeletal system.