INTRODUCTION: In Paralympic sport, the evaluation of athlete`s characteristics within the domain of performance-impairment relationship is the basis of classification to guarantee a fair competition [1]. At present, the scientific literature on Paralympic powerlifting is very limited and the evidence-based knowledge about such aspects is sparse. This study aims at understanding which factors (i.e., anthropometric, neuromuscular and technical) are related to performance to gain knowledge for evidence-based classification in this sport. METHODS: Seven Paralympic powerlifters of elite international level participated in the study (disability types: 1 arthrogryposis, 2 spina bifida, 3 mono-lateral and one bilateral amputation). After a standardized warm-up, four attempts of one repetition maximum (1RM) paralympic bench press were performed and data from the best valid lift was considered for the analysis. Anthropometric measures (e.g., body mass, fat mass, sitting height, arm span, upper body segments length, breadths and circumferences, etc.) were taken before 1RM testing. Electromyographic activity during the concentric phase of the lift was bilaterally recorded in the deltoid anterior, pectoralis major, triceps, latissimus dorsi and abdominal external oblique muscles, and normalised to maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Linear displacement and velocity parameters of barbell trajectory were obtained from video analysis and extracted from both concentric and eccentric phases of the lift. Correlation analysis was performed between 1RM load corrected by the Haleczko formula and the anthropometric, neuromuscular and technical parameters, and significant strong correlates were included in a multiple regression model. RESULTS: Among the anthropometric measures, forearm and trunk length, and wrist width were positively associated with corrected 1RM load (r > .82, p < .05). The drift of barbell real trajectory from the straight-line displacement during the eccentric phase was the only technical factor to be significantly and strongly positively correlated with corrected 1RM (r > .77, p < .05). No neuromuscular factor showed a significant correlation. Results from the multiple regression model indicated the trunk length as the main predictor of 1RM corrected value (R= .93, R2= .87, adjusted R2= .85, p = .002). CONCLUSION: Upper body anthropometric factors appear to have the highest degree of association with Paralympic powerlifting performance compared to both neuromuscular and technical factors. Unlike the previously reported impact of lean body mass on 1RM bench press in non-disabled powerlifters [2], body composition factors seem to not play a significant role in performance outcome in Paralympic powerlifting. Although preliminary, the current findings provide a starting point for advancing evidence-based classification in this Paralympic sport.
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