Ocena sprawności specjalnej zawodników w rugby na wózkach

Background. Wheelchair rugby is one of most spectacular team games meant for people with cervical spinal cord injury. Lately this sport has been gaining popularity. In order to estimate progress of players and analyze effects of training, coaches use various series of tests of special physical fitness. The aim of this study was to evaluate skills of wheelchair rugby players depending on their functional classification expressed in points and the years they play this sport. Material and methods. A group of 35 wheelchair rugby players were recruited for the study. The players participate in the Polish Wheelchair Rugby League (PLRnW) competitions in teams: Flying Wings Rzeszów. Brave Snails Lublin and Garbate Anioły Radom. The subjects were divided into four groups according to their functional classification in wheelchair rugby: 1st group – 0.5 and 1.0 point players (n = 9 ), 2nd group – 1.5 point (n = 8), 3rd group – 2.0 and 2.5 point (n = 11 ), and 4th group – 3.0 and 3.5 point (n = 7). The wheelchair rugby players participated in 4 special physical fitness tests: six-minute Cooper test, 20 m sprint, slalom with the ball, medicine ball throw. Results and conclusions. Results of the performed tests showed a strict correlation between the results achieved in tests of special physical fitness and the players’ functional classification. No strict correlation between the results achieved in tests of special physical fitness and the years of playing sport was found.