Ciencia y Deporte. Vol. 8. No. 3, September-December, 2023, p.e4417.

 

Original article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34982/2223.1773.2023.V8.No3.004

 

Enhancing Quick Strength Effectiveness in Discus-Throwing Para-Athletes, F-56

 

El desarrollo de la fuerza rápida y su efectividad en paraatletas de lanzamiento del disco, categoría F-56

 

O desenvolvimento da força rápida e a sua eficácia em para-atletas de lançamento do disco, categoria F-56

 

Andris Salvador González Nobal1* , Francisco Núñez Aliaga1 , Gonzalo Girado García Camejo1

 

1 The University of Granma. Faculty of Physical Culture. Granma, Cuba

 

*Correspondence: agonzalezn@udg.co.cu

 

Received: 04/01/2023.
Approved: 05/20/2023.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Physical Culture professionals offer significant contributions to high-performance sports by implementing didactic and other associated sciences. ence, this research focused on the results of enhancing quick strength effectiveness in discus-throwing para-athletes (F-56).
Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a set of general and particular exercises to enhance quick strength in para-athletes in the area of discus throwing (F-56 category), who suffer from spinal cord injury, to raise their sports results.
Methods: In that sense, several theoretical, empirical, and statistical-mathematical methods were used. The study was done between 2020 and 2021, using a sample consisting of six male para-athletes (the total population representing this event), who met the technical requirements for the sport but had insufficient muscular strength.
Results: The set of exercises suggested to increase the muscular strength of para-athletes in the study, as part of their physical training, led to an increase in strength levels, based on a methodological rationale for satisfactory planning of the different types of preparation, which included the proper methods, contents, and means.
Conclusions: The general and special physical preparation exercises for the strengthening of the motor disabled athletes in the research were based on a methodological basis that allowed the trainer to plan the work of the different types of preparation correctly, with the methods, contents and means for their development.

Keywords: Discus throwing, para-athletes, physical-motor disability, spinal cord injury, muscular strength.

RESUMEN

Introducción: el profesional de la Cultura Física contribuye con aportes importantes, desde la aplicación de la didáctica y otras ciencias auxiliares, al desarrollo del deporte de alto rendimiento. De ahí que la investigación estuvo centrada en mostrar los resultados del desarrollo de la fuerza rápida en paraatletas de lanzamiento del disco, categoría F-56.
Objetivo: valorar la efectividad de una propuesta de ejercicios generales y especiales para el desarrollo de la fuerza rápida en paraatletas de lanzamiento del disco en la categoría F-56, los cuales presentan lesionados medulares, en aras de incrementar los resultados deportivos.
Métodos: en este sentido, se utilizaron los métodos de investigación de los niveles teórico y empírico; así como métodos estadístico-matemáticos. La investigación se desarrolló entre los años 2020-2021 y se seleccionó una muestra de seis paraatletas masculinos, que representaban el total de la población de este evento del Paraatletismo, los cuales presentaban limitaciones en la fuerza muscular, a pesar de cumplir con las exigencias técnicas.
Resultados: la propuesta de ejercicios para el incremento de la fuerza muscular de los paraatletas objetos de estudio, como medio de la preparación física, permitió el aumento de los niveles de fuerza, sustentado sobre una base metodológica que posibilitó planificar acertadamente el trabajo de los diferentes tipos de preparación, contando con los métodos, contenidos y medios para el desarrollo de la mismos.
Conclusiones: los ejercicios emitidos de la preparación física general y especial para el fortalecimiento de los atletas discapacitados motores motivo de la investigación, se sustentó sobre una base metodológica que permitió al entrenador planificar acertadamente el trabajo de los diferentes tipos de preparación, contando con los métodos, contenidos y medios para su desarrollo.

Palabras clave: lanzamiento del disco, paraatletas, discapacidad físico motora, lesionados medulares, fuerza muscular.

RESUMO

Introdução: o profissional de Cultura Física contribui com importantes contribuições, desde a aplicação da didática e outras ciências auxiliares, para o desenvolvimento do esporte de alto rendimento. Assim, a pesquisa foi focada em mostrar os resultados do desenvolvimento da força rápida em para-atletas arremessadores de disco, categoria F-56.
Objetivo: avaliar a efetividade de uma proposta de exercícios gerais e especiais para o desenvolvimento da força rápida em para-atletas arremessadores de disco da categoria F-56, portadores de lesão medular, visando o aumento dos resultados esportivos.
Métodos: neste sentido, foram utilizados os métodos de pesquisa dos níveis teórico e empírico; bem como métodos estatístico-matemáticos. A pesquisa foi realizada entre os anos de 2020-2021 e foi selecionada uma amostra de seis paraatletas do sexo masculino, representando a população total desta prova de Paraatletismo, que apresentaram limitações na força muscular, apesar de cumprirem os requisitos técnicos.
Resultado: a proposta de exercícios para aumentar a força muscular dos para-atletas em estudo, como forma de preparação física, permitiu o aumento dos níveis de força, suportada numa base metodológica que permitiu planear corretamente o trabalho dos diferentes atletas.tipos de preparação, com os métodos, conteúdos e meios para o seu desenvolvimento.
Conclusões: Os exercícios de preparação física geral e especial para o fortalecimento dos atletas portadores de deficiência motora objeto da investigação assentam numa base metodológica que permite ao treinador planear corretamente o trabalho dos diferentes tipos de preparação, com os métodos, conteúdos e meios para o seu desenvolvimento.

Palavras-chave: arremesso de disco, para-atletas, deficiência físico-motora, lesão medular, força muscular.

INTRODUCTION

In Cuba, Villa Nueva, H. et al. (2020), Ramos, Miló, and González (2020), have studied basic exercises in detail with a view of enhancing strength as a starting point as well as the basis for technical teaching in sports training. Likewise, they have stressed physical preparedness, particularly the conditional capacity of strength. Meanwhile, Mojena, Fonseca, García-Camejo & Hernández-Barcaz (2022), have engaged in leg strength training from early ages. In terms of quick strength, Remón-Futiel, Ortega-Liens, García-Camejo & Peña-Fernández (2022), focused on baseball athletes. Volkov (1968) and Ozolin (1971), cited by Mendoza-Romero, Méndez-Infante & Peña-Santiesteban (2016) noted that improvements in quality speed-strength (quick strength) rely on the development of the potentialities of the body to deploy the alactacid anaerobic energy mechanism (p.128). According to these authors, quick strength takes place as the predominant physical quality in short and explosive efforts.

They embrace the theory stated by Siff & Verkhoshansky (2004), who said that "... if strength deficit is substantial for a certain muscle group, there could be an increase in quick strength caused by maximum neuromuscular stimulation or near this zone (for instance, using weightlifting or plyometrics). If the strength deficit is little, on the other hand, hypertrophy may be induced by sub-maximum load methods, such as the ones frequently used in bodybuilding, followed by extreme efforts with huge loads (p.27).

Egea García and Sarabia Sánchez (2002) stated that, since 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) used the term disability to refer to "every restriction or absence of the capacity to perform an activity in the way or within the human standards." (p. 2). Despite the bias, its application is increasingly being accepted and used.

Barreiro, Guerra Martínez & Rodríguez Elías (2020), citing Reina (2010) and Pérez (2012), have stated that

Adapted sport is understood as a form of sport that adjust to the group of people with a disability or a special health condition, either due to a series of adaptations and/or modifications to enable their practice by the disabled, or because the structure of the sport favors its practice (p.110).

Athletics, an Olympic and Paralympic sport, is one of the emblematic sports disciplines for people with certain limitations or disabilities, to be able to perform physical activities, and the one with the largest number of participants and events. In the Paralympics, the sport is named Para-Athletics, which among many disciplines, includes discus throwing.

Ferrer & González Nobal, (2022), refer that

To succeed in discus throwing, athletes with a disability in a wheelchair need the best techniques, coordination, concentration, movement speed, and muscular strength to be effective in the competition (p.49).

As to enhancing discus throwing techniques, Romero, Valverde Irúa & Morales Pillajo (2019) referred to the conventional juvenile categories.

On Para-athletics, Rojas Moreno (2021) explained that there are two ways in which the athletes may start a competition, depending on their disability: from a wheelchair inside a specific area (generally those who have or use a wheelchair), and for those who can use their legs as support. While the object has the same weight as the one used by conventional athletes, 2 kg for men, and 1 kg for women (par. 5). This research study targets para-athletes in wheelchairs.

The implementation of general and specific exercises to develop quick strength as a manifestation of muscular strength, based on research done by Ferrer & González Nobal (2022) is a precedent of this study, as both are part of the same project, whose specific objectives are to contribute to the systematic increase of competitive outcomes; encourage the setting of better marks, physical and spiritual conditions in the athletes that favor their personality as a whole; increase overall and multipurpose physical development; ensure and improve specific physical development depending on the needs for competition; increase the general and special level of preparedness.

Accordingly, para-athletes should be able to:

Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a set of general and particular exercises to enhance quick strength in para-athletes in the area of discus throwing (F-56 category), who suffer from spinal cord injury, to raise their sports results.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study relied on a pre-experimental design with minimum control. Initial and final tests (pre-test and post-test) were made with an independent variable, the application of the general and special exercises, then it was evaluated in the final confirmation, and its effectiveness was checked. This research was done in the province of Granma, Cuba, in the 2020-2021 period, following the Paralympics Tokyo 2020, which was held in 2021.

The sample consisted of intentional, non-probabilistic sampling. The population was the discus-throwing para-athletes (F-56) belonging to the Cuban pre-selection. All six athletes were selected for the experiment (100%), with an average age of 32.3 years. The following inclusion criteria were taken into consideration: discus throwing para-athletes (F-56), certified by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the National Commission of Athletics to be part of the national pre-selection

The investigation relied on theoretical, empirical, and research techniques, such as analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive, systemic-structural functional, documentary analysis, methodological and source triangulation, structured observation, interview, and survey. Discus-throwing training was observed (planning and execution with weights, muscular development, increase of maximum muscular strength, methods and means used by the coaches to achieve their goal associated with quick strength).

A questionnaire was made for coaches about muscular strength training. Several regulatory documents were reviewed in relation to training disabled athletes, and the comprehensive program for athlete preparedness in the area of throwing (PIPD) for conventional athletes was analyzed as well. The para-athletes were interviewed about their needs in terms of quick strength.

The evaluation of quick strength followed the existing methodology. Lying on the floor and sitting were the two strength indicators (frontal) measured to assess the effectiveness of the general and special exercises.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The information collected through observations of training sessions, interviews of para-athletes, a questionnaire to coaches about quick strength training, and the review of several documents, including papers and thesis dissertations was used to diagnose the muscular strength training in discus throw para-athletes (F-56). It facilitated the methodological and source triangulation.

The previous aspects evidence the need to implement general and special exercises to train quick strength in discus-throwing para-athletes (F-56).

A proposal for general and special physical exercises (Ferrer & González Nobal, 2022)

General objective: to implement general and special physical exercises to strengthen different muscular planes of discus-throwing para-athletes with spinal cord injuries, in the F-56 category (Figure 1 and Figure 2) and (Table 1).

Fig. 1. A proposal for general exercises

Fig. 2. - A proposal for special exercises

Table 1. - Dosage of general and special exercises

Assessment of the effectiveness of general and special exercises for the development of rapid strength in para-athletes through pre-experiment

To assess the effectiveness of general and specific exercises using this methodology to enhance quick strength in discus-throwing para-athletes, all the population in the study was included in the 2020-2021 training macrocycle, which consisted of staged exercises, based on the application of basic, special, and competitive exercises, according to the physical loads planned. It required the combination of all the components of training (physical, technical, tactical, psychological, and theoretical), partially modeling and integrating the specific competition event, with practical elements.

Objectives of quick strength training at the preparatory stage

General training stage

Special training stage

Results of the implementation of the set of exercises

At the end of each stage and mesocycle, training was checked and the utilization of the loads planned was assessed, which permitted the control and evaluation of the exercise set implementation at different moments. Accordingly, two strength tests were performed: lying, and sitting, with a more general view.

Analysis of the test results

The significant differences in variable maximum strength in the upper limbs, between the pre-test and post-test were established with the statistical analysis, using the Student-T test for the comparison of the arithmetic means of the samples related. To determine if the data fit the normal curve, pd" 0.05 in the Student-T test, which during the analysis of the quick strength of para-athletes in the pre-test and post-test, showed that because P had the lowest value of the tests (greater than or equal to 0.05), the quick strength data from the two tests may have had a normal distribution with 95 % confidence.

Results of the strength test while sitting

Table 2 shows the statistical results of the pre-test and post-test about strength from a sitting position. There was an increase in the mean values of maximum strength, from the beginning of the preparation until the end of the competitive stage (Table 2).

Results of the strength test while lying down

The analysis was started using the results in Table 2, which show a progressive increase in the mean values of maximum strength, from the beginning of the preparation until the end of the competitive stage.

Overall, the sitting and lying down tests showed low variation coefficients, thus indicating the homogeneity of the control steps, while the statistical values showed significant differences in the tests.

The analysis of the control (pre-test and post-test) shows an increase in the throws (Table 3), evidencing a significant difference.

In general terms, the pre-test and post-test paired sample analysis (SPSS, 22.0) tackled the differences between the data samples. The results of the study suggest that the experimental hypothesis can be accepted; the previous results express a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05), among the quick strength enhancing indicators in discus-throwing para-athletes between the pre-test and the post-test, with improvements observed in the post-test.

Table 2. - Pre-test and post-test comparison

Table 3. - Results of throw increases

Between August 24th and September 5th, 2021 Tokyo hosted the 2020 Paralympics, in which discus thrower Leonardo Diaz (part of this study) participated in good physical and psychological conditions, ready to fight for an outstanding position. His goal was achieved when he won the bronze medal (43.36 m), despite his disagreement with the mark recorded officially.

 

CONCLUSIONS

The coaches or technicians in charge of disabled athlete training with spinal cord injury (F-56) in discus throwing do not follow a standard document with the implicit type of exercises for their general and special physical training aiming to enhance their strength, deal with the training process coherently, and meet their particular needs.

The exercises for the general and special physical preparedness to increase the muscular strength of motor-disabled athletes in the study were based on a methodological rationale for satisfactory planning of the different types of preparation, which included the proper methods, contents, and means.

The level of general athlete satisfaction was palpable since they consider themselves useful people who can contribute to the social growth of their communities.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

Barreiro, R. A., Guerra Martínez, N., & Rodríguez Elías, A. O. (2020). Diagnóstico de la velocidad de movimiento en el lanzamiento del disco en atletas con discapacidad físico motora. Revista Olimpia, 17. https://revistas.udg.co.cu/index.php/olimpia/article/download/1945/3630/

Egea García, C y Sarabia Sánchez, A. (2002). Clasificaciones de la OMS sobre discapacidad. Murcia. España. https://sid-inico.usal.es/idocs/F8/ART6594/clasificacion_oms.pdf

Ferrer, Y., & González Nobal, A. S. (2022). Ejercicios físicos generales y especiales para el fortalecimiento muscular de los atletas discapacitados en la categoría F-56 (Lesionados medulares) en el lanzamiento del disco. Revista Olimpia, 19(2), abril-junio. https://xjournals.com/collections/articles/Article?qt=jh /gGJCQfwN3CKyuRaLXvcCvXktBGDMaz02OCLRzqpc=

Mojena, V., Fonseca, I. J., García-Camejo, G., & Hernández-Barcaz, M. (2022). El entrenamiento de la fuerza de piernas en edades tempranas y su rendimiento deportivo en el polo acuático. Ciencia y Educación, 3(4) (abril). https://www.cienciayeducacion.com/index.php/journal/article /view/127

Ramos, M., Miló, M., y González, S. C. (2020). Diagnóstico para perfeccionar la fuerza especial en agua de polo acuático en Pinar del Río. ODIUM. Revista de Ciencia y Tecnología en la Cultura Física, 15(2) (mayo-agosto). http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/rpp/v15n2/1996-2452-rpp-15-02-250.pdf

Remón-Futiel, G. A., Ortega-Liens, A. G., García-Camejo, G., & Peña-Fernández, J. M. (2022). El entrenamiento de la fuerza rápida en atletas de béisbol categoría sub23 años. Ciencia y Educación, 3(4) (abril). https://www.cienciayeducacion.com/index.php/journal/article/view/128

Rojas, J. (2021). ¿Qué es el lanzamiento del disco paralímpico? Señal Colombia. https://www.senalcolombia.tv/deportes/que-es-lanzamiento-disco-paralimpico

Romero, E. Valverde Irúa, C. & Morales Pillajo, C. (2019). Perfeccionamiento del desempeño técnico en la fase de descarga del lanzador de disco prejuvenil. Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomédicas, 38(2), pp.15-26. http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/ibi/v38n2/1561-3011-ibi-38-02-15.pdf

Siff, M. C., & Verkhoshansky, Y. (2004). Superentrenamiento. 2da ed. España: Editorial Paidotribo, Coleccion Deporte & Entrenamiento. https://books.google.com.cu/books/about/SUPERENTRENAMIENTO.html?hl=es&id=-CQPml3N-24C&redir_esc=y

Villa Nueva, H. et al. (2020). Programa integral de preparación del deportista para el área lanzamiento. La Habana: Federación Cubana Atletismo (documento en PDF).

 

Conflict of interest statement:
The authors declare having competing interests.

 

Author contribution statement:
Andris Salvador González-Nobal: Research methods and techniques, about the sample and measurements and observations in training facilities and during competitions.

Francisco Núñez-Aliaga: Information processing, and in measurements and observations in the training facilities.

Gonzalo Girado García-Camejo: Creation and style of the manuscript.

 


This paper is distributed under the terms of the Licencia CreativeCommons (CC) 4.0. (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Copyright (c) 2023 Andris Salvador González-Nobal, Francisco Núñez-Aliaga, Gonzalo Girado García-Camejo.