- Contact person: Kamiar Aminian
- People involved: Benedikt Fasel
- Partners: University of Jyväskylä (Finland), University of Freiburg (Germany)
- Funding source:
Overview
The first Paralympic Winter Games were held in 1976 in Örnsköldsvik. Classification processes and performance-related categories are used to enable the athletes to compete against each other. Classification is based on medical history as well as on the opinion of experts who perform tests to examine which muscle groups disabled athletes can utilize. For the sit skiing cross-country skiing discipline, it was recognized that the current classification may not be sufficient and better methods need to be developed. Till now it is still unclear which muscle groups are contributing to the movement and play an essential role to performance.
LMAM is participating in a research project of the University of Jyväskylä that aims to better understand performance aspects for sit ski cross-country skiing. LMAM is contributing in the design and validation of a new test for classification of the athletes into different disability levels. The test should assess the core stability of the athletes. The test is performed in-lab on a sit-ski that can be automatically moved forwards and backwards (perturbation). The athlete tries to react to this perturbations by actively stabilizing the upper body. Inertial sensors attached to the trunk will be used to assess reaction time and reaction behaviour.