Towards evidence-based classification in wheelchair sports: impact of seating position on wheelchair acceleration

In most Paralympic wheelchair sports, active trunk range of movement is assessed by observing shoulder girdle excursion during active trunk movements and is a key determinant of an athlete's class. However, to date research evaluating the impact of reduced trunk range of movement on wheelchair sports performance has not been conducted. In the present study, 15 non-disabled male participants performed two 20-s sprints on a wheelchair ergometer in each of three seating positions. Positions were typical of those used to enhance sitting stability in wheelchair sport and each impacted available trunk range of movement differently: condition-90 (seated with thighs horizontal; unrestricted range of movement) condition-45 (seated with thighs in 45°), and condition-0 (seated with hips maximally flexed; minimum range of movement). In condition-90, the trunk only actively contributed to the first push; for the remainder of the sprint, the trunk was held almost isometrically at 48.2° to the horizontal (range 42.1-56.4°). Similar patterns were observed for both condition-45 and condition-0. Compared with condition-90, participants in condition-0 had reduced capacity to accelerate of statistical (P < 0.05) and practical significance. These findings are an important initial step towards evidence-based decision making in classification. Future research should evaluate the individual and collective impact of other factors that affect the trunk's contribution to wheelchair sports performance, including strapping, seating position, and impairments of trunk muscle power and coordination.     

The place of multimedia groups in the world of publishing

The publishing world is increasingly dividing into two types of enterprise: the large, international multimedia groups and the small, craftsmanlike independent publishers. The health of the industry depends on their coexistence and on the success of the written word in competing against alternative uses for leisure time. Yves Sabouret is chairman and CEO of La Cinq (television station) and former vice-chairman and CEO of the Hachette Group. Among Hachette international holdings are Grolier and Hachette Magazines in the United States, and Salvat and various subsidiaries in Spain and Latin America. The Group has 31,000 employees worldwide and operations in 39 countries; 1990 estimated sales are 30 billion French francs.