This study aimed to determine the rated perceived exertion (RPE) and match load (RPE-ML) to compare pre-post-match vertical jump (VJ) capacity according to cerebral palsy (CP) players’ sport classes (i.e., FT1–FT3) and playing positions and to explore whether the neuromuscular performance variation is associated with the internal load of para-footballers with CP. Fifty-six male para-footballers performed two VJ tests before and immediately after a competitive CP football match, followed by measurements of the players’ RPE and RPE-ML. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the pairwise comparisons for RPE and RPE-ML according to sport classes and playing position. A significant reduction in the VJ performance was found for each player sport class and playing position in squat jump (SJ) (p < 0.01; 0.24 < d_g < 0.58) and countermovement jump (CMJ) (p < 0.05; 0.22 < d_g < 0.45). Regarding the pairwise comparisons, players with the minimal impairment criteria (FT3) obtained higher deficit scores during SJ than those belonging to the FT1 and FT2 (p = 0.003; 1.00 < d_g < 1.56). Defenders experienced the lowest performance compared to midfielders and attackers in SJ performance (p = 0.027; 0.94 < d_g < 1.28). Significant correlations were obtained between ΔSJ or ΔCMJ and RPE or RPE-ML (r = −0.58 to −0.75; p < 0.001). These findings provide novel information supporting the notion that fatigue induced after a competitive match causes notable impairments in VJ performance differentiated according to sport class and playing position in para-footballers with CP.

This study aimed to explore the match-physical response of international-level footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) according to contextual factors such as team ranking, the quality level of opposition, and match outcome. Eighty-two male outfield footballers with CP from top-ranked teams (n=26) and bottom-ranked teams (n=56) took part in this study. The match-player response was recorded using global position devices considering the total distance, distance covered at different velocities, and number of short-term actions. Players from top-ranked teams covered more distance at low intensities compared to players from bottom-ranked teams (p<0.05;0.45<ES<0.49). Higher sprint distance, moderate deceleration, and high accelerations/decelerations were found in players from top-ranked teams playing against teams of similar levels (p<0.05; 0.73<d_g<0.86). When players from bottom-ranked teams played against teams of equivalent rank, more physical requirements were presented in total distance, running from medium to sprint intensities, and the number of short-term actions (p<0.05;-0.55<ES<-0.89). Players from the top-ranking teams presented greater sprint distance and moderate acceleration demands in losing matches (p<0.05;-1.01<d_g<-1.03). Considering the bottom-ranking opposition, players presented more running demands in matches with losing results in moderate running, sprinting, and moderate-to-high deceleration (p<0.05;-0.61<d_g<-0.64). The match-physical response of players with CP varies according to the contextual factors studied. The results provide advice for coaches and classifiers to understand more comprehensively the competing demands in CP football. This knowledge could help practitioners to prepare competition matches and planning training load or post-match recovery strategies, but also for the observation assessments of the classification process in this team para-sport.

This study aimed (1) to determine the appropriateness of using decision trees as a classification tool for determining the allocation of sport classes of para-footballers with “moderate vs. mild” cerebral palsy (CP) profiles of spastic diplegia/hemiplegia and ataxia/athetosis based on observational outcomes by international classifiers, and (2) to identify what key observational features were relevant to discriminating among different impairment levels. A sample of 16 experienced international classifiers from five world regions participated in this study, observing activity limitation of a final sample of 21 international CP footballers when performing 16 gross-motor and sports-specific tests for balance (n = 3), coordination (n = 5), running, accelerations and decelerations (n = 3), jumping (n = 4), and change of direction ability (n = 1). For the overall sample (336 observations), the model included eight decision nodes and 24 branches with 17 leaves, including side-step, side-stepping, and triple hop as the tests with the best sensitivity (precision = 67.0%). For those with spastic diplegia (64 observations: Two nodes, six branches with five leaves), the range of motion in the side-step test and the balance in the tandem walk tests correctly classified 89.1% of the observations. In those with athetosis and ataxia (96 observations), the model included five nodes, 15 branches, and 11 leaves (176 observations, precision = 86.5%). For those with spastic hemiplegia, a model containing two nodes, six branches, and five leaves had 90.9% accuracy, including observational features of balance in the side-step test and symmetry in the side-stepping test. The observational tool used in this study, based on the impact of specific impairment measurements of hypertonia, athetosis, and ataxia, can be used to determine which assessments are more appropriate for discriminating between functional profiles in para-footballers with CP.

This study aimed to describe and determine relationships between repeated sprint and change of direction (COD) abilities in football players with cerebral palsy according to four sport classes (FT5 to FT8). Seventeen male football players with cerebral palsy took part in this study (23.0±4.7 years, 65.9±9.5 kg, 168.8±5.9 cm). The repeated sprint ability (6×40-m sprints with a 20-second recovery) was evaluated to determine the best sprint time, mean sprint time, and percentage of sprint decrement. The difference in lactate concentration was determined using blood samples taken three minutes before and after testing. The Illinois Agility Test (IAT) was also used to assess players’ change of direction ability. The FT8 players had better performance (p<.01) in the best sprint time, mean sprint time and in the IAT scores compared to the players of the sport classes FT5/6. Players of the sport class FT7 also reached higher performance in the IAT compared to the players of the sport classes FT5/6 (p<.05). A significant correlation was found between the best sprint time and mean sprint time (r=.94, p<.01), the best sprint time and the IAT (r=.62, p<.01), and between the best sprint time and the difference in lactate concentration (r=-.51, p<.05). The relationships between repeated sprint and change of direction abilities demonstrate the performance profile of para-footballers with cerebral palsy in those variables according to their sport classes, exhibiting lower performance than the values reported for regular football players.

Background: Global initiatives have been put in place to attain a thorough understanding of worldwide variations in physical activity (PA) among children and adolescents. Yet, there is limited knowledge about PA-related indicators, specifically for children and adolescents with disabilities (CAWD). To bridge this data gap, the Global Matrix of Para Report Cards (PRCs) of CAWD initiative was established to address the scarcity of information on PA for this population globally. The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize the results of Chile’s First PRC on PA for CAWD. Methods: Chile’s PRC included 10 core PA indicators common to the Global Matrix of PRCs. Evidence from scientific articles, reports, and databases available or released from 2018 to January 2022 was included for each indicator. A scientific committee collected and analyzed the data, assigning letter grades (A–F) based on benchmarks. Results: The grades assigned were as follows: Overall PA, D−; Organized Sports and Physical Activity Participation, C−; Active Play, INCOMPLETE; Active Transportation, D−; Sedentary Behavior, F; Physical Fitness, INCOMPLETE; Family and Peers, D+; School, C+; Community and Environment, D+; Government, B−. Conclusions: Chile scored low in most indicators. Although some efforts have been made in the last decade in terms of policies, these have not been reflected in PA and related behaviors in CAWD. The results underscore that maintaining the current situation is inadequate for addressing the widespread problem of physical inactivity among CAWD in Chile, emphasizing the urgency for substantial changes and a comprehensive approach to effectively combat this crisis.