Conference: The Science of Wheelchair Rugby
The Inaugural World Wheelchair Rugby Sports Science and Sports Medicine Conference 2021 in partnership with the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (Loughborough University) – will bring together practitioners, coaches, medical staff and students interested in sports science, medicine, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning and coaching.
About this event: This virtual event will cover the historical insights in sports science and medicine by experts from the world of wheelchair rugby covering topics on: classification, thermoregulation, autonomic dysreflexia, shoulder health, nutrition and much more, which will provide a platform for future study.
The event is delivered by:
- Prof Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey, Director of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC), Loughborough University, and IPC Paralympic Scientific Award recipient 2017
- Dr Viola Altman, one of the most experienced WWR Classifiers in the sport and Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Rehabilitation at Loughborough University
- Steve Griffiths, WWR CEO
- Dr Ken Lee, WWR Chief Medical Officer and Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA)
- Supported by Dr Sven Hoekstra, Research Assistant of the PHC at Loughborough University.
Programme:
| Time | Session |
| 13:00 – 13:15 |
Introduction Richard Allcroft – President of World Wheelchair Rugby Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey – The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; Loughborough University (UK) |
| 13:15 – 14:00 |
CLASSIFICATION AND SCIENCE (SPORT) Chairperson Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey |
| 13:15 – 13:45 |
Classification in wheelchair rugby (on-demand video) Viola Altmann – Rehabilitation Medical Center Groot Klimmendaal (NL) |
| 13:45 – 14:00 |
Effects of trunk muscle activation in wheelchair rugby players with a spinal cord injury Ingrid Kouwijzer – Faculty of Health, Nutrition and Sport; The Hague University of Applied Sciences (NL) |
| 14:00 – 15:00 |
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY PERFORMANCE (SPORT) Chairperson Sven Hoekstra (The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; Loughborough University (UK)) |
| 14:00 – 14:15 |
Field testing for wheelchair rugby Sonja de Groot – Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center Reade and Department of Human Movement Sciences; VU University (NL) |
| 14:15 – 14:30 |
Sprint performance and asymmetries in wheelchair rugby Riemer Vegter – Center for Human Movement Sciences; University of Groningen (NL) and The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; Loughborough University (UK) |
| 14:30 – 14:45 |
From research subject to athlete; the need for individual sport performance support Rienk van de Slikke – The Hague University of Applied Sciences / PHCDS (NL) and The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; Loughborough University (UK) |
| BREAK | |
| 15:30 – 17:30 |
PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH (MEDICINE) Chairperson Ken Lee (International Wheelchair Rugby Federation) |
| 15:30 – 15:50 |
Cardiovascular determinants of performance in athletes with tetraplegia Cameron Gee – ICORD and Department of Orthopaedics; University of British Columbia, and Athletics Canada (CAN) |
| 15:50 – 16:05 |
Just try it! - Respiratory muscle training for wheelchair rugby players Claudio Perret – Institute of Sports Medicine; Swiss Paraplegic Centre (CH) |
| 16:05 – 16:35 |
Keeping your cool - Heat related issues and practical applications for wheelchair rugby players Katy Griggs – Department of Engineering; Nottingham Trent University (UK) |
| 16:35 – 17:05 |
Nutritional considerations for wheelchair rugby Joelle Flueck – Institute of Sports Medicine; Swiss Paraplegic Centre (CH) |
| 17:05 – 17:35 |
Shoulder tendon health in wheelchair rugby athletes Fransiska Bossuyt – Human Performance Lab; University of Calgary (CAN) and Shoulder Health and Mobility Group; Swiss Paraplegic Research (CH) |
| 17:45 – 18:15 |
PANEL DISCUSSION Chairperson Viola Altman |
| 17:45 -18:15 |
Wrap up and discussion about future research needs Jens Sauerbier (national player team Germany, sports scientist & WWR athlete representative)/ Viola Altman |
| 18:15 | Ken Lee and Vicky Tolfrey – Close |
Contact and booking details
- Booking required?
- Yes
- Booking information
- To book your place, please visit the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport website. A Zoom invite will be sent by email on the evening prior to the event.