Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
should be latex-free because there is a 25-65% prevalence of latex allergies in this diagnos-
tic group of participants (Patel and Greydanus 2002).
19.4 Sport and Disability Techniques and
Technologies for a “Sport for All”
Ongoing developments in the revision of the classification systems within Paralympic
sports may be seen as a technique, at the institutional level, to facilitate sport for all. In
other cases, sports participation is also enhanced through the creation of novel games for
specific disability groups. For instance, Torball was developed in the 1970s as a ballgame
for individuals with visual impairments (IBSA 2011). Similar to traditional ballgames that
are played in courts with goals, this game was adapted by using a bell ball, naturally using
the auditory system for feedback. Another specific Paralympic sport is Boccia, which is a
target ball bowling sport that was developed initially for individuals with cerebral palsy
(IBC 2007). It is currently being played by individuals in wheelchairs because of physi-
cal disabilities at international levels, with over 50 countries having local and/or national
competitions (CPISRA 2009).
In addition to the techniques that develop opportunities for sports, assistive technology
continues to evolve in addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities in conducting
their activities of daily living and in sports performance (Burkett 2010). Mobility is a basic
need for individuals with disabilities to take part in society, and it sets the stage for PA
participation (Authier et al. 2007) that aids the prevention of long-term health problems,
especially among those who are wheelchair-dependent (van Der Woude et al. 2006).
Although wheelchairs and prostheses have been fundamental in promoting independent
performance of daily tasks (Haisma et al. 2006; Pasquina et al. 2006), the role of technol-
ogy in sports performance is apparent in increasing sports opportunities for individuals
who rely on power wheelchairs (Barfield et al. 2005). Greater gait efficiency and ambula-
tion speed has also been facilitated by the development of energy-storing prosthetic feet
(Brodtkorb et al. 2008), pushing the performance of Paralympic athletes to extents such
that it has become controversial (Burkett 2010). Technology development, in facilitating
sports for all, may also be described as dynamic because it responds to the demands of
elite athletes who aim to go higher, faster, and longer (Vanlandewijck et al. 2001; Burkett
et al. 2003).
19.4.1 Power Wheelchair Sports
The focus on wheelchair development may have been driven by the needs of individuals
with mobility limitations, who are at risk of developing a sedentary lifestyle and limited
opportunities for PA participation (Barfield et al. 2005). Inevitably, the enabling effect of
wheelchairs has been extended by technology development toward competitive sports.
Power wheelchair athletes include individuals with physical disabilities associated with
various conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury.
Diverse characteristics of such disabling conditions have generated much interest in
examining exercise responses and energy expenditure associated with wheelchair com-
petition, and it has been established that factors associated with the ability of wheelchair
athletes include cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic capacity, and upper limb coordination
