Cost-effective power assessment in paralympic wheelchair athletes

Introduction: power measurement in sports is essential to enhance performance, but technological and economic limitations hinder its application in Paralympic contexts. Objective: to develop and validate a power estimation method for wheelchair athletes, particularly during training on roller benches, without the need for expensive devices. Methodology: coast-down tests were carried out on track and roller bench at different speeds (10, 15 and 20 km/h), measuring stopping distance and acceleration. Drag force, power, and handrim effort were calculated using vehicle dynamics equations. Results: track values deviated only 3.8% from accelerometer data, validating the method. On roller benches, values matched those of track up to 12 km/h; at higher speeds, aerodynamic resistance caused noticeable deviations. Discussion: findings align with previous studies on rolling resistance and wheelchair dynamics. The methodology allows realistic representation of effort during training. Conclusions: a cost-effective and reliable solution for power estimation in Paralympic athletes is provided, with direct applications in training planning.