Change of direction profile in parabadminton: the role of impairment type and anthropometric factors

Introduction
Parabadminton (PBd), introduced at the 2020 Paralympics, accommodates athletes with diverse physical impairments. Differences in physical and physiological performance between these groups emphasize the need for tailored assessments to refine classification information and training strategies. This study aims to evaluate change of direction (COD) performance across sport classes and examine the influence of anthropometric factors on performance in PBd athletes.

Material and methods
Seventy-nine PBd athletes, classified as wheelchair (WH1, WH2) or standing (SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6), participated. All had official classifications and prior competition experience. Data collection included demographics, skinfold measurements, and arm muscle area (AMA) assessments. A COD test simulated gameplay to measure times, fatigue index, and mechanical power. Statistical analyses employed Kruskal-Wallis tests and MANCOVA to compare sport classes, controlling for covariates like age, body mass index (BMI), and practice time.

Results
Significant differences in COD performance were observed between sport classes, except for the fatigue index. Large effect sizes (f² ≥ 0.702) were found for "worst time," "mean time," and "best time," with post-hoc tests identifying multiple differences between wheelchair and standing classes. Smaller differences (f² = 0.058) were noted for "total power," primarily between standing and wheelchair groups. MANCOVA analysis revealed BMI, height, practice time, and AMA as significant predictors of COD performance, depending on sport classes and type of impairment.

Conclusions
Anthropometric factors, particularly height, age, body mass, and practice time, influence COD performance in PBd athletes. These findings highlight the relevance of sport class differences and underscore the need for training programs that address functional and physical distinctions.