Evaluating the physiological conditions and biomechanics of wheelchair basketball players: A comprehensive study

Wheelchair basketball is a sport that requires high levels of strength, endurance, and motor control, with an important metabolic and cardiovascular component. Athletes must develop strong propulsion to optimize mobility and improve performance. Circuit training has been widely used to improve aerobic and anaerobic capacity in able-bodied athletes, but its specific effects on wheelchair basketball athletes are still poorly explored. This study evaluated the effects of a circuit training program on propulsive force, metabolic efficiency, and athletic performance in wheelchair basketball players. 120 wheelchair basketball athletes were divided into an experimental group (n = 60) and a control group (n = 60). The experimental group followed a 12-week circuit training program, with three weekly sessions, while the control group continued their standard training. Before and after the intervention, all participants underwent specific tests to assess average propulsive force (Wingate Peak Power Test), metabolic efficiency, endurance, and maximum heart rate. The experimental group showed significant improvement over the control group in mean propulsive power (+80 W, p < 0.05), metabolic efficiency (+2.5, p < 0.05), and mean RSA time (−0.3 s, p < 0.05). Maximum heart rate decreased slightly in both groups, suggesting better cardiovascular adaptation over time. Circuit training has proven to be an effective method of improving performance in wheelchair basketball players, with benefits in terms of strength, endurance, and metabolic efficiency. These results confirm the effectiveness of a structured approach to training for athletes with disabilities and offer useful indications to optimize physical preparation in this discipline.