PurposeIn cross-country sit-skiing (XCSS), athletes with reduced trunk control predominantly sit with the knees higher than the hips (KH); a position often associated with large spinal flexion. Therefore, to improve spinal curvature a new sledge with frontal trunk support, where knees are lower than hips (KL) was created. It was hypothesized that the KL position would improve respiratory function and enhance performance in seated double-poling compared to KH.MethodsTen female able-bodied cross-country skiers (age 25.5 ± 3.8 years, height 1.65 ± 0.05 m, mass 61.1 ± 6.8 kg) completed a 30 s all-out test (WIN), a submaximal incremental test including 3–7 3 min loads (SUB) and a maximal 3 min time trial (MAX) in both KL and KH positions. During SUB and MAX external power, pole forces, surface electromyography, and kinematics were measured. Metabolic rates were calculated from oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentrations.ResultsKL reduced spinal flexion and range of motion at the hip joint and indicated more muscle activation in the triceps. Performance (W kg−1) was impeded in both WIN (KH 1.40 ± 0.30 vs. KL 1.13 ± 0.33, p < 0.01) and MAX (KH 0.88 ± 0.19 vs. KL 0.67 ± 0.14, p < 0.01). KH resulted in higher gross efficiency (GE) and lower lactate concentration, anaerobic metabolic rate, and minute ventilation for equal power output.ConclusionsThe new KL position can be recommended due to improved respiratory function but may impede performance. Generalization of results to XCSS athletes with reduced trunk muscle control may be limited, but these results can serve as a control for future studies of para-athletes.

Background Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are less physically active, have a higher body mass index (BMI) and are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than people without ID. The purpose of the study was to explore the effectiveness of a web-based training programme, consisting of 150 min of activity per week, on the health of people with ID. Method Participants with ID living in supported accommodation (n = 28, 48% female, age = 36.4 ± 9.56 years) participated in a web-based training programme, consisting of a combination of exercises (endurance, strength balance and flexibility) of moderate intensity, 50 min, three times per week for 12 weeks. The body composition and waist circumference (WC) were measured, and questionnaires were used to assess enjoyment, quality of life (QoL) and physical activity (PA) level. Descriptive statistics and pairwise comparison pre and post intervention were carried out. Results A total of 22 out of 28 participants completed the 12-week training intervention with 83% mean attendance of training sessions. The intensity of the PA level increased and a decrease in fat mass of 1.9 ± 2.4 kg, P < 0.001 and WC of 3 ± 5 cm, P = 0.009 were observed. Enjoyment of training sessions was 3.9 out of 5, and no differences in QoL were found. Conclusion A web-based training programme is an effective tool for improving health parameters of people with ID and offers a new way for caregivers to enhance the PA for the target group.

This is a study on how leg utilization may affect skiing efficiency and performance in doublepoling ergometry. Three experiments were performed, each with a different style of the doublepoling technique: traditional with small knee range-of-motion and fixed heels (TRAD); modern with large knee range-of-motion and fixed heels (MOD1); and modern with large knee range-of-motion and free heels (MOD2). For each style, motion data was extracted with automatic marker recognition of reflective markers and applied to a 3D full-body musculoskeletal simulation model. Skiing efficiency (skiing work divided by metabolic muscle work) and performance (forward impulse) were computed from the simulation output. Skiing efficiency was 4.5, 4.1 and 4.1% for TRAD, MOD1 and MOD2 respectively. Performance was 111, 143 and 149 Ns for TRAD, MOD1 and MOD2 respectively. Thus, higher lower-body utilization increased performance but decreased skiing efficiency. This result demonstrates the potential of musculoskeletal simulations for skiing efficiency estimations.

Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are less physically active than individuals without ID, and rarely reach the recommended daily level of physical activity (PA). It is understood that both social interaction and the ability to perform physical work affect participation in daily activity as well as PA. Individuals with ID generally have a higher risk of hypertension and obesity-related cardiovascular diseases than individuals without ID. Professional service providers, teachers and parents are often those being asked about potential challenges related to PA, as it is more seldom that this knowledge comes from the target group (ID) themselves. This identifies a lack of knowledge about PA and sports for individuals with ID. The aim of this study was to identify perceptions of, and motivation for, PA and sports among adolescents with ID. Twelve Swedish male and female adolescents with ID participated in the study, which comprised one semi-structured interview. The interviews identified three main categories: Activity, Surroundings and Body-and health awareness. Adolescents with ID seemed intrinsic motivated to participate in PA, organised sports and activities in general. Support from significant others, teachers, family and friends and support as well as the feeling of joy are connected to normative beliefs which all seem crucial. The participants were aware of their limitations, but sometimes feel bullied and afraid of being excluded, which relates to their normative beliefs. Participation in PA and organised sports may be positively associated with health, but limitations such as lack of awareness and support from society challenge the perception of 'fitting in'. This research has raised the voice of adolescents with ID and identified the need for increased knowledge of their perceptions for a more inclusive world. School PE is an arena where adolescents can still be reached regarding PA and thereby should be prioritised.

The purpose of classification of physical impairments in sports is stated by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) classification code as 1 :Classification is undertaken to ensure that an athlete's impairment is relevant to sports performance and to ensure that the athlete competes equitably with other athletes.We focus on biomechanical impairments (or physical impairments) and their effects on classification. A difficult question today is how much the impairment of a person impacts upon sports performance, while avoiding influence of technique, fitness, and training. In Nordic skiing, a set of standardized tests for functional assessment are performed for classification of sitting skiers. The tests are done indoors, testing limb function, strength, flexibility, coordination, range of motion, sitting balance, and so on. This is followed by a functional observation when skiing outdoors. These tests are necessary for functional classification. Nonetheless, the influence of the impairment on performance may be wrongly mixed with factors such as technique and fitness level.There is a critical need for research that describes the extent to which impairments of varying type, severity, and distribution impact performance in Paralympic sports. It is of great importance that the judgment on how the impairment affects performance is evidence-based. 1 In the following, we show a complementary evidence-based tool for classification.Biomechanical simulations of cross-country skiing (double-poling) were carried out using the AnyBody Modeling System™ 3.0, AnyBody Technology A/S, Aalborg, Denmark. The simulation method, musculoskeletal inverse dynamics, computes the muscle forces of a body model when external forces and kinematics are given. 2 Two full-body simulation models with the same anthropometric data were implemented: one with full muscle setup and the other without muscles in the right lower leg and foot. By excluding muscles, it is possible to show how a lower leg prosthesis may affect the muscular work. The simulation models have the same kinematics and external kinetics, that is, both models perform the same task.Simulation kinematics and computed muscle forces for one time step are visualized in Figure 1. Note that more bulging and darker muscles means higher muscular activity, for example, compare the calf muscles. Based on simulation