Author(s): BERNARDI, M., CICCARELLI, A., PELUSO, I., CAVEDON, V., CASTELLUCCI, F., BELLITO, S., MILANESE, C., TOTI, E., RAGUZZINI, A., CAVARRETTA, E., Institution: SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY OF ROME, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 2405

INTRODUCTION:
To examine the effects of a relative sedentary behaviour (SB) due to the CoViD-19 related lockdown (LD) on all components of physical fitness (PF) in wheelchair basketball players (WBP) with different locomotor impairments (impaired muscle strength, limb deficiency and impaired passive range of motion).
METHODS:
A comprehensive PF evaluation (1) was performed on twelve male WBP recruited from the Italian national team at the peak of their PF (June 2019, PRE) and after the LD (June 2020, POST), in both cases after the end of the national major league championship. PF evaluation included anthropometry (body mass and skinfold measurements) to assess fat mass, cardiopulmonary incremental maximal arm cranking exercise (ACE) test (CPET) to measure oxygen uptake peak (VO2peak), supramaximal (130% of the power peak reached in the CPET) up to exhaustion ACE test to estimate maximal glycolytic anaerobic capacity, 10-second-long “Wingate” all out ACE Test to estimate anaerobic peak power and handgrip measurements (HG) to assess maximal strength. Similarly to the typical training modality previously carried out in the gym, strength training was prescribed at the beginning of the LD period (for a minimum of three times per week, bench press, triceps extension, dumbbell row, biceps curl, lateral raises, dumbbell shrugs, abdominal crunch carried out 12 repetitions for 4 sets at 50% of the one repetition maximum). WBP were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding their home and possible out-door training. Dietary advice was provided to WBP during the LD.
RESULTS:
The self-reported aerobic training performed during the LD by our WBP was very law compared to the typical aerobic training (9.6±4.96 to 2.4±3.67 hours per week) which included typically wheelchair basketball training in field. An higher strength training volume was obtained during the LD period. Comparing PRE vs POST LD significant results (p<0.05), we found a decrease in fat mass (19.6±3.9 vs 15.7±3.9 %) and aerobic fitness (VO2peak decreased from 37±6.3 ml·Kg-1·min-1 to 34±5.2 ml·Kg-1·min-1 and power peak at CPET from 168±36.9 watt to 158±34.6 watt) and an increase in explosive power and strength. Peak power in Wingate test increased from 12±3.32 watt·Kg-1 to 13.8±3.79 watt·Kg-1). HG measurements (sum of both upper limb) increased from 896±156.2 Newton to 973.4±205.8 Newton. No significant PRE vs POST differences were found in the total work load of the supramaximal up to exhaustion ACE test (19.6±6.70 kJ vs 20.7±7.42 kJ; p=0.2).
CONCLUSION:
The present study suggests that strength and explosive power can be adequately trained at home. Possibly this training and dietary advice and strength training contributed to the reduction of FM% and increased PEP and HGS. The negative impact of a forced relative LD on the dangerous reduced aerobic fitness of Paralympians suggests that home aerobic exercises should be included in the periods out of Championship.
References:
1) Bernardi et al. Clin J Sport Med 2012 22(1):26-30