Unlocking Performance Insights: IMU-derived Power Monitoring in wheelchair basketball over multiple games

Abstract

Wheelchair basketball has become increasingly popular, leading to a rise in professionalism. While performance measures exist, they lack objective metrics directly related to an athlete’s individual load that can be measured during games. An objective measure related to the athlete’s load can provide information about fatigue and the total load of training or matches. A recent study presented a theoretical framework for calculating power during games. This study aims to examine the utilization of power metrics derived from Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) in wheelchair basketball using the theoretical framework, focusing on power produced during straight-line sprinting in matches. This will be done by answering the main question of this paper: How can
individualized power metrics for performance monitoring be derived during wheelchair basketball match play using IMUs? Eight female participants from the Dutch national wheelchair basketball team were assessed in twelve international practice games using
IMUs on their wheelchairs. Power profiles were created based on sprint power, offering insight into sprint powers and their distribution. Work done, determined from power output and push duration, provided insights into athlete fatigue during games.
Power profiles can be used to monitor long-term performance, either between games or between seasons. Regression analysis showed a significant positive effect of classification scores on single push power output, with an R-squared value of 0.75. This study
proposes areas for future research, including integrating trunk motion analysis and exploring the effects of different player positions on power profiles. By enhancing the understanding of player performance, these findings contribute to the professionalization of wheelchair basketball, aiming to optimize performance and reduce injury risks.