A Quantitative Study of the Impact of Functional Classification on Competitive Anxiety and Performance Among Wheelchair Basketball Athletes

Abstract

In adaptive sports (also known as Para sports, disability sports, or Paralympic sports), athletes are assigned to classes that indicate their functional potential, regardless of talent, training, or experience. The aim of the present study among wheelchair basketball athletes (n = 141) was to explore the role of functional classification as a potential stressor. Specifically, we looked into the anecdotal relationship between classification and athletes' concern about "performing in accordance with one's class." Based on a serial mediation research model, we examined the links between functional classification and three outcome variables (i.e., cognitive worry, somatic arousal, and game performance) through the mediator variables of perceived competitive demands and sport-specific self-efficacy. Unexpectedly, we did not find any evidence of a classification effect on either the mediator variables or competitive anxiety. However, we did find positive correlations between functional classification and athletes' contribution to their team's score, which align with research supporting the proportionality and the validity of the functional classification system. Moreover, regardless of classification, mediation analyses revealed an indirect link between perceived competitive demands and cognitive worry through sport-specific self-efficacy. These findings suggest that, regardless of classification, athletes' self-efficacy may be increased by managing their appraisals of competitive demands and that their cognitive worries may be reduced by self-efficacy interventions.

Métodos De Mensuração De Força Muscular Na Classificação Funcional De Esportes Paralímpicos: Uma Revisão Sistemática

“…Santos et al (2017) identificaram as diferenças na força muscular do tronco e de equilíbrio entre as classes do BCR para determinar se essas variáveis se correlacionam com a atual classificação baseada na observação dos jogadores. É interessante destacar que a classificação no BCR possibilita a participação de atletas com diferentes condições de deficiências físicas, tais como lesão medular, poliomielite, espinha bífida, paralisia cerebral e amputações em membros inferiores (BOSMA; VAN YPEREN, 2020). No estudo foi analisada a força muscular isométrica e o equilíbrio dinâmico de tronco nas direções anterior, posterior, lateral esquerda e lateral direita.…”

Wheelchair handball classification system: purpose and validation evidence-based

“…The biggest problems with classification systems are related to the higher degree of variation, subjectivity and the fact that athletes exaggerate their impairment by deliberately underperforming during classification process. 12 Classification system should expect that the performance on the field reflects the functional class of the athlete, and so, athletes with higher ratings should demonstrate a stronger field performance because they have greater functional potential. 13 According to Tweedy et al, 7 classification system has a clearly stated purpose to promote participation in sport by people with disabilities by minimizing the impact of impairment on the outcome of competition and empirical evidence indicates that the methods used for assigning class will achieve the stated purpose (objective, reliable methods for measuring both core constructs -impairment and activity limitation).…”

Análisis del lanzamiento a canasta en baloncesto en silla de ruedas (Analysis of the basket shot in wheelchair basketball)

“…En el BSR, influyen los mimos factores, así como la orientación de la silla de ruedas respecto a la canasta en el lanzamiento (Goosey-Tolfrey et al, 2002). Por ello, los jugadores deben ser capaces de controlar la ansiedad producida durante las competiciones, puesto que es una de las variables que presenta mayor afectación en el rendimiento deportivo (Bosma & Van Yperen, 2020), y puede influenciar en la eficacian en el lanzamiento. Para ello, los jugadores deben seleccionar la técnica de tiro más apropiada en cada caso y, durante los entrenamientos, simulando situaciones parecidas a las de competición (Erčulj & Štrumbelj, 2015).…”