BIODYNAMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPORTS PERFORMANCE OF PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
Paralympic Powerlifting; Anaerobic Threshold; Wingate Test; Athletic Performanc
Paralympic powerlifting requires high upper limb strength production in a short period of time, with anaerobic power being a potentially decisive factor for competitive performance. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between biodynamic variables (body composition, strength, dynamic strength, and upper limb power) and the competitive performance of athletes in this sport. This was a cross-sectional study involving 13 high-performance para-athletes (6 men and 7 women). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Isometric arm strength was measured by the handgrip test, dynamic strength by the medicine ball throw, and anaerobic power by the Wingate test adapted for upper limbs. Competitive performance was assessed based on the official competition ranking (Brazilian Weightlifting Championship). Significant correlations were observed between all anaerobic power variables and competitive performance: relative average power (r = -0.864; p ˂ 0.001), average power (r = -0.804; p = 0.003), relative maximum power (r = -0.766; p = 0.006), and maximum power (r = -0.791; p = 0.004).No relevant associations were found for body composition, handgrip strength, or medicine ball throw.
Conclusion: The results indicate that only upper limb anaerobic power, as measured by the Wingate test, shows a strong correlation with competition performance, even when different variables are taken into account. These findings reinforce the importance of integrating assessments and interventions aimed at developing power into the training process of high-performance para-athletes.