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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Case
report
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A PHYSIOLOGICAL CASE STUDY OF A PARALYMPIC WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PLAYER: REFLECTIVE PRACTISE |
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Nicholas J. Diaper1,2 and Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey2,3 
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1English Institute of Sport, Loughborough Performance Centre, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK. 2Research Institute for Health and Social Change, Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, MMU Cheshire, Alsager, UK. 3Loughborough University, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, UK. |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2009) 8, 300 - 307 Search Google Scholar for Citing Articles |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| This study was designed to examine the physiological changes caused
by long-term training in a world class female tennis player in preparation
for a major championship. Additionally, we aim to describe the training
interventions and determine a suitable cooling strategy that was to be used
at the 2004 Paralympic Games. The athlete underwent regular physiological
assessment during 2003-2004. Physiological measures involved body composition,
submaximal and peak oxygen uptake and key variables associated with maximal
sprinting. In addition, a suitable match-play cooling intervention and hydration
strategy was also explored. Body composition improved over the course of
the study. Aerobic capacity fell by 21%, yet the submaximal physiological
variables such as lactate profile and pushing economy improved. The trade
off of aerobic capacity was perhaps noticeably counter-balanced with the
maintenance of the peak sprinting speed and improvement found in the fatigue
profile across ten repeated sprints. The extensive training programme was
responsible for these changes and these adaptations resulted in a more confident
athlete, in peak physical condition leading into the Paralympic Games. It
is difficult to appreciate the extent to which this work had an impact on
tennis performance given the skill requirements of wheelchair tennis and
this warrants future attention.
Key words: Wheelchair propulsion, aerobic capacity, longitudial study, training. |
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