Performance profile analysis of unipedal paralympic sprinter: a case report

Abstract

The principal goal of elite athlete is to compete in international sporting events like Olympic or Paralympic Games. For this reason, athletes submit to multi-year training program (Vaeyens R et al., 2009; Ratel S, 2011). However, there are individuals who qualify to compete in the Paralympics even without a sporting past. The aim of this work was to examine the performance profile of a female paralympic sprinter [age: 37 years; mass: 58.2 Kg; height: 1.61m; BMI: 22.45; athletic category: T44 (100 m; 200 m)] with a 1/3 right lower limb unilateral transtibial amputation since the age of 2 years and 6 moths and lacking a sporting history. In particular, we analyzed used macrocycle, workload profiles and recorded personal bests (PBs) before Beijing 2008 Paralympics Games. We showed that the sinusoidal pattern of used workload ranges in every mesocycle [speed resistance: 5-30%, coordination and technique: 20-50%, general strength: 10-50%, speed strength: 10-25%, flexibility: 5-10%] positively influenced athlete’s performance. Indeed, the sprinter recorded important PBs by 100 and 200 meters in eight races before Beijing 2008 Paralympics Games. Athlete reduced PBs by ~1 and ~4 seconds in 100 m and 200 m races respectively from Biella 2007 XXII Meeting to Beijing 2008 Paralympics Games [100-m PB= (Biella): 15.15s vs. (Beijing): 14.68s; 200-m PB= (Biella): 34.12s vs. (Beijing): 30.17s]. Methodological choices appear to have optimized sprinter’s predetermined psychomotor genetic potential. In according to Delecluse et al. (1995) we supposed that high levels of strength workload per mesocycle have been principal causes of athlete’s improved performance. Vaeyens R et al. Talent identification and promotion programmes of Olympic athletes. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(13):1367-80. Ratel S. High-intensity and resistance training and elite young athletes. Med Sport Sci. 2011;56:84-96. Delecluse C et al. Influence of high-resistance and high-velocity training on sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;27(8):1203-9.