High speed motion capture cameras are being used to gain a better understanding of shoulder mobility in wheelchair rugby players, in a bid to reduce the number of related injuries.

By using the cameras to create a 3D image of the arm movement and the contact points with the wheel, researchers will be able to calculate the forces being placed on the shoulder, it is claimed. 

Understanding the shoulder position at the point of highest force will allow manipulations to either the push strategy or chair set-up in a bid to minimise the loads, which in theory should make propulsion more efficient and reduce the risk of injury, researchers believed.

The research group is being led by Tom Paulson, the applied sport scientist for GB Wheelchair Rugby, as well as a research assistant at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, based in the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) at Loughborough University.

Working with experts from the Queen Mary University of London and Groningen University in The Netherlands in order to maximise the findings, the research group will see collaboration between biomechanists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists as well as an expert in mathematical modelling.

Since wheelchair rugby made its debut as a full medal sport on the Paralympic Games programme, Britain have not won a medal.

At Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, they were beaten in the bronze medal play-off match. 

At London 2012 they finished fifth. 

“In 12 months’ time the aim is to win a medal in Rio and be the first GB wheelchair rugby squad to do that, and this research is really going to help our athletes turn up to Rio in the best possible shape," said Paulson.

"We need to make sure we understand each individual, understand how prone to injuries they are and understand how we can support them over the next twelve months to ensure they turn up to Rio in the best shape possible and perform on the court.

“Wheelchair rugby athletes spend a lot of time on court but the majority of their time is spent ambulating in a manual wheelchair.

"So if we have a game in the morning they might have to push for 20-30 minutes back to the hotel, and it might be that short period of pushing in their day chair that puts them at the highest risk of injury.

"Essentially we’re looking to cover all bases so the risk of injury whilst the athletes are in their day chairs is minimised.”

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