Training and Coaching the Paralympic Athlete	3
	Contents	7
	Contributors	8
	Foreword	11
	Foreword	13
	1 Introduction to the Paralympic Movement	15
	Introduction	15
	History of the Paralympic Movement	15
	The top 10 greatest moments in Paralympic history	16
	London 2012: Inspiring a generation, transforming a nation	16
	Historic “One Bid, One City” agreement	21
	Barcelona 1992: The benchmark for the future	21
	Jonnie Peacock silences 80,000 people	23
	Sydney 2000	24
	Great Wall of China and Forbidden City made accessible	25
	First IPC–IOC agreement	27
	Sochi 2014 breaks down barriers	27
	The IPC is created in Düsseldorf	29
	Hou Bin becomes a global sensation	30
	The unique challenges of classification	31
	Are cyborg athletes in our future?	32
	Conclusion	33
	References	33
	Recommended reading	33
	2 Biomechanics and ergonomics	35
	Introduction	35
	Biomechanics	35
	Ergonomics	36
	Biomechanics in Paralympic sports	37
	Kinematics and kinetics of running	37
	Mathematical models	47
	Kinematics and kinetics of wheelchair sports	49
	Power balance model	49
	Power production	53
	Skill and technique: Training and coaching	55
	Assistive technology: Athlete optimization	60
	Health and safety	62
	Individual sports performance	62
	Conclusion	65
	References	65
	3 Physiology	67
	Introduction	67
	Physiological challenges and consequences for exercise performance	68
	Heart rate and cardiac output	68
	Oxygen uptake	68
	Orthostatic and exercise hypotension	69
	Autonomic dysreflexia and boosting	70
	Aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity	70
	Respiratory function	70
	Muscle fiber distribution	71
	Spasticity	72
	Body composition	72
	Thermoregulation	73
	Gastrointestinal differences and nutrition	73
	Exercise testing and assessment methods	74
	Anaerobic exercise testing	75
	Aerobic exercise testing	75
	Field testing	77
	Strength assessments	78
	Body composition assessment	78
	Training recommendations	81
	Endurance training	81
	Strength training	82
	Respiratory muscle training	83
	Performance under extreme conditions	84
	Heat and humidity	85
	Altitude	85
	Pollution	85
	Conclusion	86
	References	86
	4 Paralympic sports medicine	89
	Introduction	89
	Injury and illness epidemiology	89
	The history of injury and illness surveillance in Paralympic sport	90
	What is considered an injury or illness?	91
	Paralympic Injury and Illness Surveillance Study: Summer sports	91
	Paralympic Injury and Illness Surveillance Study: Winter sports	94
	Paralympic Games illness epidemiology	95
	Sudden cardiac death and pre-participation cardiac screening	97
	Head injuries and concussion in sports	98
	Medications that may have an impact on performance	100
	Anti-doping and Therapeutic Use Exemption considerations	100
	Major categories of medications frequently used by athletes with impairment	101
	Travel and environmental considerations	101
	Planning for travel	101
	Safe travel and considerations on arrival	103
	Impact of multi-timezone travel	103
	The potential impact of environmental pollution	104
	Accessibility of the built environment: Impact on athletes with impairment	104
	Sports nutrition	105
	Energy needs	105
	Carbohydrates for training and competition	106
	Protein requirements	107
	Hydration for training, competition, and recovery	107
	Vitamins and minerals	108
	The increasing use of supplements	108
	Conclusion	109
	References	109
	5 The psychology of Paralympians and mental preparation	110
	Introduction	110
	The athlete	110
	Psychological methods	112
	Competition plans	112
	Self-talk	112
	Goal setting	113
	Psychological skills	113
	Efficacy and confidence	113
	Coping, stress, and anxiety	113
	Mood and emotion	114
	Facilitative and debilitative factors	114
	Pain, injury, and illness	114
	Travel and lodging challenges	115
	Classification	115
	Leaving sport	115
	Athletes with intellectual impairments	116
	The coach	116
	The sport psychologist	119
	Conclusion	120
	References	120
	6 Sociology of sport and coaching	122
	Introduction	122
	Paralympic research and the field of disability studies	123
	Integration and sport for the disabled	125
	Disability sport and classification	126
	Paralympic bodies	129
	Mobility technologies	133
	Conclusion	134
	References	134
	7 Research needs for the development of evidence-based systems of classification for physical, vision, and intellectual impairments	136
	Introduction	136
	Overview of Paralympic sports	138
	Developing evidence-based systems of classification for physical, vision, and intellectual impairments	141
	Step 1: Identify target sport and impairment types to be classified	143
	Step 2: Develop a theoretical model of the determinants of sports performance	144
	Overall sports performance assessment and identification of key activities	144
	Identifying the factors that determine overall performance	145
	Step 3a: Develop valid measures of impairment(s)	146
	Impaired muscle power	147
	Impaired range of movement	148
	Ataxia and athetosis	148
	Hypertonia	149
	Limb deficiency, leg length difference, and short stature	149
	Vision impairment	150
	Intellectual impairment	150
	Step 3b: Develop standardized, sports-specific measure(s) of performance	152
	Develop the “least restrictive” protocol	155
	Develop protocols that incorporate legal technical aids and equipment	155
	Accurately record any individualization permitted in the protocol	155
	Quantify the effect of individualized positioning or technical aids on sports performance	156
	Step 4: Assess the relative strength of association between valid measures of impairment and sport-specific measure(s) of sport performance	156
	Congenital vs. acquired impairments	157
	Impact of training on measures of impairment	158
	Step 5: Use outcomes from Step 4 to determine minimum impairment criteria, number of classes, and methods for allocating classes	160
	Conclusions	160
	Acknowledgments	161
	References	161
	8 Sport and technology	164
	Introduction	164
	Technology in Paralympic sports	164
	Performance analysis	166
	Video analysis	167
	Standard video analysis	167
	High-speed video analysis	168
	Video-based tracking systems	168
	Virtual reality	169
	Wearable technology	170
	Global positioning systems	170
	Data loggers	170
	Wearable technology clothing	172
	Instrumented sport equipment	172
	Providing feedback in aiming sports	173
	The use of force platforms and contact mat systems as a feedback tool	173
	Application of innovative radio-frequency technology in wheelchair sports	174
	Biomechanical analysis of selected Paralympic athletes	179
	The sprinter	179
	The foil fencer	179
	The boccia athlete	180
	Implementation of technologies	183
	Extraction and analysis of data	183
	Conclusion	184
	Acknowledgments	184
	References	184
	9 Contribution of sport science to performance: Wheelchair rugby	186
	Introduction	186
	The wheelchair rugby chair	187
	The wheelchair rugby game	188
	Aerobic assessment of the wheelchair rugby athlete	190
	Anaerobic assessment of the wheelchair rugby athlete	195
	Body composition assessment of the wheelchair rugby athlete	196
	Wheelchair rugby nutrition assessment	198
	Wheelchair–player interface assessment in wheelchair rugby	200
	Wheelchair rugby skill proficiency assessment	201
	Wheelchair rugby anti-doping assessment	202
	Wheelchair rugby medical assessment	204
	Athlete monitoring systems	206
	Wheelchair rugby classification	207
	Conclusion	209
	Acknowledgments	210
	References	210
	10 Contribution of sports science to performance: Swimming	213
	Introduction	213
	The science of swimming: Background	213
	The science of swimming: Fundamentals	214
	Understanding propulsion and drag	214
	Swimming physiology	215
	Mood state and visualization	215
	Application to prevent injury	216
	Components of the swimming race	217
	Starts	217
	Turns	219
	Stroke rate, stroke length, and velocity	220
	Application for functional swimmers (S1–S10)	220
	Impairment-specific swimming profile	221
	Swimmers with an amputation	221
	Swimmers with cerebral palsy	222
	Swimmers with a spinal cord injury	222
	Swimmers with a visual impairment	223
	Swimmers with an intellectual impairment	224
	Measurement tools	224
	In-water measures, video, and inertial sensors	224
	On-land swim bench	226
	Swim-start technology	226
	Swimming training and coaching practice	227
	Individual recovery strategy	228
	Future directions	228
	References	228
	11 Contribution of sport science to performance: Nordic skiing	230
	Introduction	230
	Double poling	233
	Fatigue	236
	Training	237
	Paralympic Nordic skiing	238
	Classification	239
	Laboratory studies	240
	Field studies	242
	Future perspectives and conclusions	243
	Acknowledgments	245
	References	245
	Recommended reading	248
	Index	251
	EULA	259