Enhancing exercise capacity and performance in elite Wheelchair Rugby athletes

This project aims to assess a number of novel exercise training techniques to improve exercise performance in elite Canadian Wheelchair Rugby athletes. The first training technique to be assessed is training in the heat, a condition that many Wheelchair Rugby players may have difficulty competing in, to lead to adaptations that will improve performance in the heat. The second is to train athletes using a combination of arm cycling and passive leg cycling to increase the hearts response to exercise and induce changes in heart structure & function and potentially exercise performance. Finally, we will examine how training respiratory muscles which are weakened in many Wheelchair Rugby athletes can benefit exercise performance among Team Canada athletes. Ultimately, the program aims to assist the Canadian National Wheelchair Rugby team achieve future Paralympic success.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher West

Student:

Cameron Gee

Partner:

Canadian Sport Institute Pacific

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of British Columbia