An instrument to assess the fitness of field athletes with physical disabilities

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a series of physical fitness tests forathletes with disabilities competing in sitting throwing events in athletics. All athletes competing insitting throwing events during the South African National Championships April, 2001, were askedto take part in the research study. A total of 74 athletes in the classes F33, F34, F52, F53, F54, F55,F56, F57 and F58 took part in the research study. All the athletes completed the tests selected fortheir specific class. Their tests results and their performance in the events at the South AfricanNational Championships were correlated to determine the validity of the physical fitness tests.Results of the study revealed the following:ol' Certain physical fitness components are more important than others for achieving goodresults in the sitting throwing events.ol' Upper body power is the best predictor of performance in all the events and classes.ol' Technique is as important a factor in good performance as is fitness.ol' South African athletes' technique needs improvement.It can be concluded from this study that physical fitness, in particular upper body strength andpower, plays a major role in performance of athletes with disabilities competing in sitting throwingevents. Many of the athletes are currently top performers rely more on their physical fitness than ongood technique to achieve success. If these athletes can combine physical fitness with goodtechnique, much better performances will achieved and the world will need to take even more noteof South Africa's athletes with disabilities.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University