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Gee CM, Lacroix MA, Stellingwerff T, Gavel EH, Logan-Sprenger HM, West CR. Physiological Considerations to Support Podium Performance in Para-Athletes. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2021; 2:732342. [PMID: 36188768 PMCID: PMC9397986 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2021.732342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The twenty-first century has seen an increase in para-sport participation and the number of research publications on para-sport and the para-athlete. Unfortunately, the majority of publications are case reports/case series or study single impairment types in isolation. Indeed, an overview of how each International Paralympic Committee classifiable impairment type impact athlete physiology, health, and performance has not been forthcoming in the literature. This can make it challenging for practitioners to appropriately support para-athletes and implement evidence-based research in their daily practice. Moreover, the lack of a cohesive publication that reviews all classifiable impairment types through a physiological lens can make it challenging for researchers new to the field to gain an understanding of unique physiological challenges facing para-athletes and to appreciate the nuances of how various impairment types differentially impact para-athlete physiology. As such, the purpose of this review is to (1) summarize how International Paralympic Committee classifiable impairments alter the normal physiological responses to exercise; (2) provide an overview of "quick win" physiological interventions targeted toward specific para-athlete populations; (3) discuss unique practical considerations for the para-sport practitioner; (4) discuss research gaps and highlight areas for future research and innovation, and (5) provide suggestions for knowledge translation and knowledge sharing strategies to advance the field of para-sport research and its application by para-sport practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Trent Stellingwerff
- Athletics Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Erica H. Gavel
- Canadian Sport Institute-Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Health Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Heather M. Logan-Sprenger
- Canadian Sport Institute-Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Health Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher R. West
- Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
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