Aspects of the relationship between heart rate and precision of throwing in wheelchair basketball. Preliminary study

Abstract

One of the most practiced disciplines for athletes with disabilities is wheelchair
basketball. At the same time, in order to achieve the highest level of
competitiveness, the specific training methods are based on experimental
research made on the players of wheelchair basketball teams engaged in official
competitions.The purpose of the study is to evaluate the precision of
throwing (PoT) in relation to the player’s throwing position (TP), starting
from the hypothesis that effort intensity, determined by heart rate (HR), could
influence PoT.Methods. 5 athletes (My = 30.8 ± 7.5) members of the men’s
wheelchair basketball team, national champion in 2009, participated in the
study. A HOSAND system (Italy, 2005) was used for HR monitoring and, for
the determination of the PoT, each player made 10 throws at the edge of the
3sec. quad from: 450 left, 450 right and from the free throw line for the 120
HR, 140HR, 160HR, and 180HR crossings.Conclusions. Within the limits of
our study, the data obtained show that, for each player, the PoT depends on
PT and is influenced by HR values. These data can be used by the coach to
design training sessions that aim to improve basketball and to place players
on the field on tactical pitch. However, data must be approached with caution
because, in their assessment and capitalization, account must also be taken of
each player’s competitive classification (IWBF functional classification).