Range of movement measurement tools to assess trunk function in wheelchair athletes with physical impairments

Abstract

Trunk function assessment is considered a key factor for the development of evidence-based classification process in wheelchair athletes. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the intra-session reliability of two kinematic analysis tools (2D video analysis measure and an inclinometer mobile application) that could be used by classifiers to detect trunk range of movement (ROM) impairment in wheelchair athletes. Sixteen wheelchair athletes and six non-disabled participants (CG) were recruited for this study. Wheelchair athletes were dividing according to the origin of their eligible physical impairment in a neurological impairment group (ANI, n=7) and an impaired muscle power group (IMP, n=9). ROM was assessed in sagittal and coronal plane movements. High-excellent relative intra-session reliability scores were found for trunk ROM measures for all participants (0.87 < ICC < 0.99). Significantly lower ROM values were observed in wheelchair athletes compared to CG, with the exception of the trunk flexion tilt movement measured by the 2D video analysis in the IMP group and the trunk extension tilt movement measured by the inclinometer app in the ANI group. 2D video analysis showed good intra-session reliability in the assessment of trunk ROM, while high intra-subject variability was observed when using the inclinometer app. The proposed tools may help classifiers to detect trunk ROM impairment at different levels in wheelchair athletes with different health conditions being the inclinometer app more interesting to detect lower back trunk impairment.