Objectives: This study sought to report the reliability (intrasession) values of initial maximum push-rim propulsion (IMPRP) and sprint performance in elite wheelchair basketball (WB) players and to assess the involvement of strength in sprint capacity. Methods: Fifteen Spanish international WB male players participated in this study. The maximum single wheelchair push from a stationary position (IMPRP) and the sprint performance (ie, 3, 5, and 12 m) of WB players were measured in this study. Results: IMPRP mechanical outputs V, V_max, P, Rel. P, F, and Rel. F variables presented high reliability values (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ .92; coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 8.04 ± 7.37; standard error of measurement [SEM] ≤ 29.92), but the maximum strength variables P_max, Rel. P_max, F_max, and Rel. F_max (ICC ≥ .63; CV ≤ 13.19 ± 16.63; SEM ≤ 203.76) showed lower ICC values and by contrast higher CV and SEM values. The most substantial correlations were identified between maximum IMPRP values (ie, V, V_max, P, Rel. P, F, and Rel. F) and sprint performance in 3 m (r ± confidence limits ≥ −0.74 ± 0.22, very large; R² ≥ .55), 5 m (r ± confidence limits ≥ −0.72 ± 0.24, very large; R² ≥ .51), and 12 m (r ± confidence limits ≥ −0.67 ± 0.27, large; R² ≥ .44). Conclusions: The IMPRP test and sprint tests (3, 5, and 12 m) are practical and reliable for measuring strength and speed in WB players. In addition, there were large to very large associations among strength variables (ie, P, Rel. P, F, and Rel. F) and all sprint variables. This could indicate a need to implement specific strength exercises in WB players to improve sprint capacity.

Introduction: Wheelchair sports, such as wheelchair rugby (WR), are intermittent in nature, combining high- and low-intensity actions. Although some data exists on the effects of caffeine intake in WR players, further research using specific physical tests related to the demands of WR gameplay is necessary. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effect of caffeine supplementation on neuromuscular performance and repeated-sprint ability (RSA) in WR players. Methodology: A total of four WR players participated in this study. Participants ingested 4 mg/kg of anhydrous caffeine dissolved with saccharin in 200 mL of water (CAF) and 200 mL of plain water with saccharin (PLA) 45 minutes before warming up. The following tests were performed: rotator cuff maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) test, initial maximum push-rim propulsion (IMPRP) test, 10-m sprint test and RSA test (12 x 5 m). Results: CAF resulted in increased strength and power values in the MVIC and IMPRP tests (≈14.0–18.0%). Also, the CAF group reported a shorter sprint time at 3 (≈5.0%), 5 (≈3.0%), and 10 meters (≈2.0%). Discussion: Improvements in distance in the IMPRP as well as in a 20m sprint test have previously been reported in WR players after ingesting 4 mg/kg caffeine. Conclusions: The intake of 4 mg/kg of caffeine 45 minutes before warming up could be slightly enhance performance, especially in neuromuscular actions, in WR players.

Purpose: Field-based tests are widely used to assess propulsion and sprint performance in wheelchair athletes; however, their ability to discriminate between functional performance profiles associated with different impairment characteristics remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluated the discriminative capacity of propulsion, sprint, and manoeuvrability tests in elite wheelchair court athletes. Methods: Nineteen male elite athletes (ten wheelchair basketball, nine wheelchair rugby) performed the initial maximum push-rim propulsion (IMPRP), a 12 m linear sprint (3, 5, and 12 m splits), and a wheelchair manoeuvrability test (3L3R). Test reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Test reliability was high across all assessments (ICC ≥ 0.82). The higher functional performance profile group demonstrated substantially greater IMPRP mechanical outputs, including mean velocity (ES = 2.69), maximum velocity (ES = 3.29), mean power (ES = 1.75), and maximum power (ES = 2.09) (all p < 0.001). Sprint performance also showed large between-group differences at 5 m (ES = 1.53) and 12 m (ES = 1.68) (p < 0.001), whereas manoeuvrability differences were moderate (ES = 0.62; p = 0.043). Conclusions: IMPRP and short-distance sprint tests appeared sensitive to differences between ecologically distinct wheelchair court sport athletes characterised by different real-world functional performance profiles. These field-based assessments may be useful for performance monitoring and may complement ecologically distinct athlete groups in wheelchair court sports.